With just one minute and 50 seconds left on the scoreboard in Železnik, the hosts led 86:76, but the Budućnost Volija basketball players orchestrated a remarkable comeback…

Fueled by Fletcher Megii and McKinley Wright, the Montenegrin champions erased FMP’s significant lead. Kenan Kamenjaš drew a foul during the host’s offense, and Wright converted a crucial “two plus one,” sealing a 91:88 victory for the “blues” in the 14th round of the AdmiralBet ABA League.

FMP had a chance to tie the game through Petr Popović with just two seconds remaining, but the former Budućnost captain missed the first of his three free throws, ensuring the victory for Podgorica.

Andrej Žakelj’s team demonstrated resilience, bouncing back from the brink and showing they can secure wins even when the odds are against them…

Crucially, Budućnost’s victory in the Belgrade suburb keeps them at the top of the regional standings. After the matches between Partizan and Crvena zvezda, they will determine if they are alone at the summit or sharing the position.

Another significant highlight of this match was the return of Judoka Azubuike, who took the place of Alen Omić, although his impact was minimal.

From the outset, things were not going smoothly; Budućnost struggled with rebounds (14:8), allowing FMP to capitalize on every mistake, leading 38:34 mid-way through the second quarter with six consecutive points.

Žakelj called for a timeout, urging players to assess what was going wrong. However, the issues persisted with an error by Rašid Sulajmon, allowing Popović to hit two free throws, extending the FMP lead to 40:34 with less than three minutes left in the second period.

In that moment, Budućnost finally recognized the need to wake up, responding with Kamenjaš scoring six points before halftime, Wright sinking a three-pointer, and Yogi Ferrell scoring at the buzzer to cap a 11:0 run, ending the first half at 45:40.

If the “blue and white” had heeded the shot clock in the first half, they fell silent in the third quarter, allowing FMP to pull ahead with several mini runs, concluding the quarter at 62:57.

Budućnost managed to land two three-pointers from Morgan and Megii, keeping their hopes alive, but it became evident that they lacked the speed and creativity in their offense…

After one sequence where Azubuike turned the ball over attempting an impossible assist to Nikola Tanasković, former Podgorica guard Joshua Scott helped FMP to a 73:65 lead with a three-pointer.

With just over three minutes remaining, Filip Barna scored to extend FMP’s lead to 81:70, but quick three-pointers from Wright and Megii breathed life back into Budućnost (81:76).

Despite the hosts regaining a 10-point advantage (86:76), which seemed to spell the end of the match, the “blue and white” showcased what makes basketball a thrilling sport…

Megii hit multiple three-pointers and scored two points, while Wright delivered in clutch moments once more as he had previously against Partizan.

Budućnost’s point guard made all three free throws with 27 seconds left to tie the game 87:87. Following a brilliant play by Kamenjaš that drew a foul on Ranko Simović’s offense, Wright scored two points and an extra free throw for 90:87.

However, the tension didn’t end there, as the referees consulted video replay and determined that Wright had fouled Popović during a three-point shot attempt. Yet, the Cetinje-born player failed to convert at the line, preventing him from stealing victory from his former team.

FMP – BUDUĆNOST 88:91 (22:18, 18:27, 22:12, 26:34)

Belgrade – “Arena FMP”. Officials: Dragojević (Montenegro), Hadžić (Croatia), Jevtović (Serbia).

FMP: Scott 21 (7-5), POPOVIĆ 12 (9-6), Marković, Saranović 14 (1-1), SIMOVIĆ 8 (2-2), GAŠIĆ 6, RADOSAVLJEVIĆ 8 (4-1), Stanojević, Stojanović 3, Ozjegen, Kuzmic 5 (2-1), BARNA 11 (9-6).

Budućnost: Morgan 10 (2-1), SULAJMON 3 (2-1), Ilić, Megii 18 (1-1), SLAVKOVIĆ, TANASKOVIĆ 7 (2-1), Ferrell 14, Jovanović, Drežnjak 2, RAJT 17 (8-6), Azubuike 2, KAMENJAŠ 18 (6-4).

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