Dubai Basketball dominates Split at ABA League opener

Dubai Basketball kicked off their ABA League campaign in style, delivering a powerful 92:58 victory over Croatian side Split on Monday evening at Coca-Cola Arena.

Jurica Golemac’s squad showcased its depth, athleticism and offensive balance, setting the tone for the season ahead. 

While Split put up a competitive fight in the opening quarter, Dubai quickly found its rhythm.

The Croatian side managed to keep pace early, with former Dubai player Leon Radošević leading their efforts inside, but it didn’t take long for Dubai’s frontcourt to impose its will.

The second quarter saw the hosts pull away decisively. Dubai’s rotations brought fresh energy on both ends of the floor, and their defensive intensity tightened.

By halftime, Dubai had established a double-digit lead that they would not relinquish.

Filip Petrušev anchored the defence with several key stops, while the offensive end featured contributions from Bacon and Prepelič helped give them a 10-point lead at halftime.

The third period turned into a fast-paced exchange, with both sides trading quick shots and pushing the tempo. Though the play became somewhat fragmented, Dubai’s deeper bench allowed them to maintain control.

Split, meanwhile, began to lose momentum as the physical toll of the contest set in.

Dubai closed the game emphatically, dominating the fourth quarter 35–15 to secure a convincing 34-point win.

Dwayne Bacon finished the night with a double-double, dropping 17 points while grabbing 10 rebounds.

"We had control of the game throughout the whole 40 minutes; quality was on our side, and we took this game seriously. I wish Split all the best in the rest of the season," said Jurica Golemac, Dubai Basketball Head Coach.

Awudu Abass, Dubai Basketball player, credited the victory to a focused team. "We did a great job because we had two games last week. We showed our energy, and everyone played well tonight. In these types of games, everybody has to give support. Everyone was focused today, and that is amazing."

Dubai Basketball will return home next week for Round 4 of the EuroLeague against Spanish giants FC Barcelona at Coca-Cola Arena on October 16. This will mark the Catalan side’s first-ever game played in the UAE. Fans can get tickets to the game on the Coca-Cola Arena website.