Dubai Basketball secured their Semi-Final spot against Partizan Mozzart Bet following a nine-point victory over Cedevita Olimpija (85:76)

The first leg of the Semi-Final will take place on 26 May in Serbia followed by a home game on Thursday, 29 May at Coca-Cola Arena

Tickets are available now on the Coca-Cola Arena website, starting from AED 75

Dubai, 21 May 2025: Dubai Basketball have secured a historic place in the ABA League Semi-Finals after a dominant 85:76 win over Slovenia’s Cedevita Olimpija in Game 3 of the Quarter-Finals at Coca-Cola Arena.

Dubai’s home team, in just their first year of competing in the league, will now face Serbian giants Partizan in a best-of-three Semi-Finals series beginning on 26 May in Belgrade before heading to Dubai for the second leg on Thursday, 29 May at 7:30 PM.

In what was their most decisive game of the season yet, Dubai came out firing from tip-off, controlling the tempo and momentum from the first whistle. Playing in front of an emphatic home crowd, the team made an early statement, closing the first quarter eight points ahead and never looking back.

The breakthrough came in the early minutes of the second quarter. With disciplined defence and swift ball movement, Dubai surged to an 11-point lead with only half of the second quarter to play – marking the game’s turning point. Cedevita Olimpija struggled to recover from the early deficit, unable to regain control or close the gap for the remainder of the match.

Leading the charge was Nate Mason, once again proving himself as the team’s top scorer for the night. The point guard delivered a masterclass performance, finishing with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. His control across the night and leadership on-court has awarded him the title of Man of the Match.

Dubai Basketball’s consistency and composure were reflected in the numbers. Shooting an impressive 48.2% from the field compared to Olimpija’s 40%, the home side made every possession count, exploiting gaps in the Slovenian defence and converting under pressure.

Coach Jurica Golemac praised the team’s mental preparation and energy on the court, “Credit to Cedevita Olimpija for a great series. We knew this was going to be our toughest Quarter-Final matchup, but we didn’t shy away from the challenge. We came out to prove we were the better team – and we did just that.”

“We fought for 40 minutes, stayed on our feet, and supported one another throughout. I want to thank the fans – tonight, they were our sixth player. Every time we started to feel the fatigue, they gave us that extra push.”

The road ahead gets tougher as they prepare to face Serbian powerhouse Partizan Mozzart Bet in the Semi-Finals. But with momentum, belief, and a home crowd behind them, Dubai Basketball are ready for the next chapter of their historic run with their fans by their side.

Fans can secure their spot now for the Semi-Finals and support their team on Thursday, 29 May at the Coca-Cola Arena against one of Europe’s biggest teams.

-ENDS-

About Dubai Basketball: 

Founded in 2023 by UAE’s Abdulla Saeed Al Naboodah, Dubai Basketball is a newly-established professional basketball franchise that plays in Europe’s – the Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA) League for the 2024/25 season. The franchise has assembled a strong roster of players with the team represented by countries including the Philippines, USA, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Jordan, Turkey, Latvia, Italy, Bosnia, and France. The franchise plays their home games in the ABA League at Coca-Cola Arena.

Dubai Basketball stands as a testament to the power of passion and dedication in shaping the landscape of basketball in the UAE and beyond. Its foundation is built upon a diverse and talented team, consisting of FIBA-certified coaches, former professional players, business experts, and passionate enthusiasts.

Dubai Basketball is committed to catalysing positive social change, where dreams are not just envisioned but realised, talents are not merely found but nurtured, and aspirations are not only lived but fulfilled.

Keep up to date with the latest news on Dubai Basketball by visiting www.dubaibasketball.com or on its social media platforms:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/dubaibasketballclub
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dubaibasketballclub/
X – https://x.com/dubaibasket
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@DubaiBasketball

Media Enquiries:

Hanan Mohamed

[email protected]