The SC Derby basketball team will face off against Dubai tomorrow at 5 PM in the 22nd round of the AdmiralBet ABA League. While the “Students” will be seen as the underdogs at the Coca-Cola Arena, they are committed to putting forth their best effort.

“Aside from the injured Igor Drobnjak, our training session yesterday was nearly complete following the Montenegrin Cup. This is a pivotal moment for us after all the challenges we’ve faced. We don’t need to say much about the Dubai team; they are undoubtedly one of the most individually talented squads in the ABA League. The results clearly demonstrate what they are capable of this season. Earlier in the season, we had a close game against them, finishing with a last-second shot. However, the scenario has changed; they’ve strengthened their roster while we’re missing some key players, making Dubai the clear favorite,” says Petar Mijović, the coach of the “students,” who adds:

“This matchup presents another chance to improve and perform better. To hold our own against Dubai, we must excel defensively. I’m particularly focused on our one-on-one and pick-and-roll defense. Being aggressive towards their playmakers is crucial; they utilize deep shots, pick-and-rolls, and inside plays with Duveriolu, Butsel, and Dzakori, while they also have a strong perimeter lineup led by Abbas, Prepelic, Andjusic, Mason, and Taylor. Their roster offers many options, so it’s essential for us to prepare effectively and see what we can achieve,” concluded Mijović.

Emir Hadžibegović acknowledges the quality of the newcomers in the AdmiralBet ABA League.

“We are gearing up for a physically demanding match against a team filled with experienced and skilled players in every position. We’ve somewhat reinforced our roster, as we had many players missing in the back positions during our last game. Drobnjak is still out, but we’ll strive to compensate for his absence. We’ve had several productive training sessions this week, and with focus and energy during the match, we will be optimistic about the outcome,” remarks the SC Derbi player.

Dubai aims to secure their 17th victory of the season, which would elevate their record to 17:5 and keep them in the hunt for third place. Conversely, SC Derbi finds themselves in a must-win situation if they wish to maintain playoff aspirations, as they currently stand at 7:14, four wins behind the eighth-placed FMP.

News