MEGA SUPERBET EDGES OUT SC DERBY IN FINAL SECONDS AND CLINCHES ABA LEAGUE PLAYOFF SPOT

Mega Superbet secured its fifth consecutive ABA League victory by defeating SC Derby 83:81 (21:18, 28:19, 13:24, 21:20) in Round 29 at Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall. Coach Marko Barać’s team delivered a strong performance in the second quarter, building a lead as large as 17 points and heading into halftime with a double-digit advantage. However, the visitors from Podgorica responded in the third quarter, narrowing the gap and entering the final period trailing by just one point.

A tightly contested final quarter followed. SC Derby tied the game with 14 seconds remaining, but Mihailo Petrović hit the game-winning shot in the final moments to seal the win. With this victory, Mega improved to a 16-13 record and officially secured a spot in the ABA League playoffs.

Petrović was the hero and also Mega’s top scorer with 16 points and 7 assists. He was followed by Andrija Jelavić with 15 points and 7 rebounds, Stefan Miljenović with 14 points (6 assists, 4 rebounds), Timotej Malovec who added 12, and Bogoljub Marković, who also scored in double figures with 11 points, just two rebounds shy of a double-double.

For the visiting side, Luka Bogavac stood out with 27 points, David Mirković added 13, and Erik Neal contributed 10.

The game was attended by former Mega player Nikola Đurišić, who received a commemorative gift from club general manager Goran Ćakić before tip-off.

The game opened with an exciting dunk by Bogoljub Marković, but a fierce battle quickly followed. Mega took an early 7:4 lead, only for the visitors to respond and shift the momentum, setting up a back-and-forth exchange. The teams traded leads throughout the quarter, but the closing moments belonged to Barać’s squad, who entered the first break ahead 21:18.

After SC Derby hit a three-pointer early in the second period, Mega Superbet responded with an 8-0 run to take their first more comfortable lead of the night (29:21). Midway through the quarter, the advantage grew to double digits (37:26). Mega continued to build their lead, eventually stretching it to +17, but the visitors managed to cut into the deficit late in the first half. After 20 minutes of play, the score stood at 49:37 in favor of the home team.

The visitors quickly cut the deficit in half after returning to the court, but Malovec prevented them from fully catching up. Still, the persistent team from Podgorica managed to pull within 54:51. Mega held on to the lead, largely thanks to their defensive effort, but SC Derby closed the gap to just one point heading into the final 10 minutes (62:61).

Miljenović signaled improved offensive rhythm by hitting a three-pointer right at the start of the final quarter, then followed up with a quick two-pointer, forcing the visiting coach to call a timeout just 40 seconds into the period. SC Derby regrouped, and a fierce battle unfolded on the court at Ranko Žeravica Hall.

A crucial three-pointer by Malovec midway through the quarter gave Mega some breathing room, followed by a powerful dunk from Jelavić that brought the home crowd to their feet (76:67). Refusing to back down, the visitors responded with an 11:2 run to tie the game. With a minute and a half left, Jelavić hit a clutch three-pointer, only for Bogavac to answer with one of his own. The scoreboard showed 81:81 with 14 seconds remaining.

Taking responsibility in the final possession, Petrović knocked down a mid-range jumper with 1.9 seconds left, sealing the win.

In the next and final round of the ABA League regular season, Mega Superbet will face Partizan on the road. The game is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, at 9:00 PM.

Mega Superbet: Milenković, Miljenović 14 (6 assists, 4 rebounds, index 19), Jelavić 15 (7 rebounds, index 19), Vukčević, Marković 11 (8 rebounds, index 16), Kroflič 5, Milijašević 3, Milutinović, Srzentić 5, Tanasković 2, Petrović 16 (7 assists, index 16), Malovec 12

SC Derby: Sudar, Neal 10, Pavlićević 5, Anđušić 5, Bogdanović 2, Vučeljić 2, Grbović 2, Nikolić 6, Drobnjak 9, Bogavac 27, Mirković 13

Photo: Mega Superbet