Dubai Basketball delivered a spirited performance against Zenit St. Petersburg in the VTB United League Supercup semifinal in Belgrade, pushing the Russian powerhouse to the limit before falling late in a dramatic 107–103 defeat. Despite leading for much of the contest and showcasing standout individual performances, Dubai Basketball ultimately saw Zenit surge in the closing minutes to secure the win.

Strong Start and First-Half Control
The game began with both sides struggling to find rhythm, as the defenses dictated play early. After five minutes, Dubai Basketball held a narrow 7–10 lead. In the final stretch of the opening quarter, Dubai put together a 10–5 run, taking momentum into the break with a 19–24 advantage.

Zenit responded at the start of the second quarter, going on a quick 12–5 run to retake the lead, 31–29. But Dubai Basketball showed resilience and composure, regaining control, and dominating the remainder of the half. The team’s defensive intensity limited Zenit to just 13 points over the final seven minutes, while Dubai poured in 25 points to take a 44–54 halftime lead. Džanan Musa was unstoppable in the opening half, tallying 19 points on efficient 5-of-8 shooting, alongside five assists and three rebounds.

Dubai Pushes Ahead Before Zenit Rally
Dubai Basketball came out firing in the third quarter, stretching the lead to 46–65 within the first three minutes. Zenit, however, refused to bow out, slowly clawing their way back. By the end of the quarter, they had trimmed the deficit to 11, with Dubai still in front 72–83 heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter brought high drama. Zenit’s persistence paid off as they chipped away at Dubai’s lead, cutting the margin to single digits midway through the quarter. In the closing minutes, Zenit surged ahead, sealing the game with a decisive 6–0 run in the final 90 seconds. Outscoring Dubai 35–20 in the last quarter, Zenit overturned the deficit and clinched a 107–103 victory.

Standout Performances for Dubai
Despite the loss, Dubai Basketball had plenty of bright spots. Džanan Musa led all scorers with 25 points, adding seven assists and four rebounds in a commanding all-around performance. Kosta Kondić was equally impressive, pouring in 22 points on an outstanding 7-of-8 shooting night, providing a reliable scoring punch throughout. Dwayne Bacon also showcased his offensive abilities, finishing with 21 points and keeping Dubai in control for much of the contest.

Looking Ahead
Dubai Basketball will now turn its focus to the third-place matchup tomorrow against Serbian champions Crvena zvezda Meridianbet, aiming to bounce back and finish the Supercup on a high note.

Scoring by Quarter:
Zenit – Dubai Basketball: 19–24, 25–30, 28–29, 35–20