Following the initial round and 15 games played, the Budućnost Voli basketball team currently holds second place in the AdmiralBet ABA League, boasting a record of 13-2.

The “Blues” have excelled during the initial stage of the season in the regional league, only facing a loss against Spartak in Podgorica. They secured a victory against Partizan in Belgrade and showcased exceptional performances that indicate they will compete until the end of the season.

In their next encounter in the AdmiralBet ABA league, Andrej Žakelj’s squad is set to face Mornar in “Morača” tomorrow (17). As clear favorites, Budućnost has the chance to solidify their position at the top of the regional standings, setting the stage for the upcoming match against Hapoel on Wednesday (19) in the 15th round of the Eurocup.

“Our primary focus should be our approach. We’ve already discussed this with the players; it’s fundamental for everything else. The players need to demonstrate character and professionalism, after which tactics and strategies come into play,” said the “Blues” coach, Andrej Žakelj, in a pre-match statement.

There is no time to unwind – Budućnost recently faced Trefl Sopot in Poland at the start of 2025, followed by a match with Dubai in Podgorica, and then traveled to Istanbul for a game against Bahceşehir.

“We’re preparing just like we have for every team before. We need to recuperate; we had one day of rest, and now our complete focus is on Mornar,” Žakelj stated.

Although Mornar has only one win, they have displayed improvement in their play against Split and Igokea.

“Mornar can be a strong competitor if we let them; they possess quality players. They demonstrated this against Igokea and Split, so I expect total concentration to validate our role as favorites,” Žakelj added.

In the ABA League, Budućnost has triumphed over Mornar in nine consecutive matches, and they have never lost to Baran in “Morača” within the regional competition.

“Mornar is arriving after having played well in their last two games against Split and Igokea, both ending in heartbreaking losses for them. We know how to counter their strategy and what we need to do to win. Although we are favored on paper, we cannot afford to be complacent, as Mornar has demonstrated that they can play high-quality basketball,” said Nikola Tanasković, a player for the Blues.

According to the basketball forward, defense is crucial, emphasizing that preventing Jenkins from scoring is essential for Budućnost’s success.

“The key lies in our defense: we must neutralize their best players, especially Jenkins, who leads their offense. If we achieve that, I believe we will secure the victory,” Tanasković explained.

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