The race for the top spot was won by Budućnost Voli, the Montenegrin champions, who triumphed over Partizan (81:77) in the “Morače” grotto. With three rounds left, they hold one more victory than the “black and whites” and have a better head-to-head record.

This means that Andrej Žakelj’s squad must secure two wins against Krka, FMP, and Dubai to solidify their leading position before the playoffs. Partizan’s coach, Željko Obradović, acknowledges that first place is virtually out of reach in Podgorica.

“With three rounds remaining, it seems certain that Budućnost will claim first place. Realistically, we are now competing for the second position, although anything can happen in basketball,” Obradović stated in a press conference.

The legendary coach extended his congratulations to Budućnost.

“It was a well-deserved victory. Budućnost played with great energy, exploiting our weaknesses. My team fought hard, but we failed to make smart decisions during crucial moments when we could have turned the game around. We did improve defensively in the second half, but it wasn’t enough this time,” Obradović remarked.

Buducnost gained momentum during the second quarter.

“I don’t believe we started poorly; the first quarter concluded with a score of 21:20. The second quarter was where we performed the worst. I always emphasize that player concentration is vital. Defensively, we were completely unfocused in that quarter,” explained Obradović.

He continued along the same lines…

“We were turning the ball over in attack and making irrational decisions. Additionally, if our shooting continues at such a low percentage for three-pointers, then the outcome is predictable,” concluded the Partizan coach.

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