Dubai Basketball Commence Defense of ABA League Title with Victory in Slovenia

20261004190935 ABA League 4 10 26 P Ilirija-Dubai

1 hour ago

1 hour ago

Dubai Basketball Commence Defense of ABA League Title with Victory in Slovenia

2026-10-05T00:35+04:00

Dubai started their ABA League season with a comprehensive wire-to-wire win over Perpektiva Ilirija (70-85) in Tivoli Sports Hall, Ljubljana.

Head Coach Xavi Pascual changed his starting five - Thomas Walkup, Davion Mintz, Tornike Shengelia and Mamadi Diakite joining Dwayne Bacon on court for the tip-off. Coach Pascual took the opportunity to rest regular starters McKinley Wright IV and Mfiondu Kabengele as well as Davis Bertans, while Elie Okobo and Jaron Blossomgame remained on the bench throughout the first half, only entering the contest in the second.

Dubai started hot in the first - a quarter notable for Dubai's 5 of 7 three point shooting. An early 7-0 run propelled Dubai to a 16-8 lead and, after five quick Ilirija points, the visitors extended their lead to ten with a 9-2 run to end the quarter.

The away side's offense was not at the same level to start the second, and it took them three minutes and twenty three seconds to score their first field goal of the quarter. Dubai then continued the quarter in confident manner at both ends, scoring seventeen points unanswered in just under four minutes. Dubai shared the scoring load and took a twenty point lead into the half time break thanks to 7/14 shooting from three, and seven rebounds in as many minutes from Kenan Kamenjas.

Another line-up change by Coach Pascual saw the visitors start the second half with a five of Kosta Kondic, Elie Okobo, Nemanja Dangubic, Jaron Blossomgame and Mamadi Diakite. Okobo made up for lost time and stamped his mark on the game with a sweet step-back three and a lob to Kamenjas that was right on target for the slam. Okobo played all ten minutes in the third quarter, finishing with eight points and two assists before sitting out the rest of the contest.

Dubai took a twenty-four point lead into the final period and with the result beyond doubt, the visiting side wisely milked the clock for the remaining ten minutes. Ilirija did put up a fight as time wound down, with three three-pointers contributing to their 16-5 run over the last three and a half minutes. But it was to no avail, as Dubai dribbled out the clock and chalked up their first ABA League win of the season in defence of their crown.

In an Ilirija side with a number of young players, veteran forward Edo Muric led the way with 15 points and 5 rebounds. Davion Mintz top-scored for Dubai with twenty on 7/12 shooting (5/9 from three). Kenan Kamenjas added 11 points and 8 rebounds, while Tornike Shengelia scored 11 points to go with four assists.

Dubai Basketball now return to the UAE ahead of their EuroLeague round four clash against Crvena Zvezda on Thursday 8 October.