Dubai cements their place in the Top 3 of the ABA League standings following more than a 20-point game victory (84-61) at Coca-Cola Arena

Filipino player, Thirdy Ravena, sealed Dubai’s win on Saturday with an incredible 3-point jump shot just 2 minutes into his game

Dubai Basketball begin preparations for their first home game this month on Sunday, 6 April against Croatia’s Zadar for Round 26

Dubai, 3 April 2025: With the playoff season fast approaching, Dubai Basketball continue to impress in their debut ABA League season with back-to-back wins, continuously establishing themselves as title contenders. The atmosphere at Coca-Cola Arena was palpable on Saturday night as the home side cruised past FMP Soccerbet with a resounding 84-61 victory, strengthening their position in the ABA League top three.

Dubai set their sights on silverware as they edge closer to the playoffs in May. Reigning champions, Crvena zvezda’s (Red Star) shock loss in Round 25 of the regular season has propelled Dubai Basketball to an unprecedented debut season standing with just five games left until playoffs.

An electrifying start to set the tone for a dominant night, Ahmet Düverioğlu opened the scoring with back-to-back two-pointers before Davis Bertans quickly followed up with consecutive three-pointers, giving Dubai a well-deserved early lead. Their relentless defensive pressure and physicality countered FMP’s attacking efforts – limiting the otherwise strong side that won against Dubai on Serbian soil. By the end of the first quarter, Dubai had already established a commanding 10-point advantage.

Dubai Basketball coach, Jurica Golemac commented on the big win “I need to give the credit to the players. You know, these are not easy games to play. We were serious. We were very focused, disciplined.”

“We got a great group of players with great character who are very experienced. They know that we need to do the job before the playoffs. We want to get the best position that we can get before the playoff. So they’re all focusing, locked in.”

FMP attempted to respond at the start of the second quarter, with Filip Barna leading the Serbian side’s lineup scoring 17 points. However, Dubai’s intensity never wavered. By halftime, the lead had stretched to nearly 20 points, thanks to Dubai’s unshakeable guard, Nate Mason’s impressive 18-point contribution.

With three minutes remaining, Dubai retained a comfortable 20-point lead, essentially sealing the win. However, the night’s most electrifying moment came when Filipino star player Thirdy Ravena stunned with a three-point jump shot with just two minutes left on the clock, sparking an eruption from the 2,800-strong crowd at Coca-Cola Arena.

Dubai Basketball now turn their attention to next weekend as they push to stay at the top of the ABA League standings, with a league title within reach. The team takes on Croatian team, Zadar on 6 April at Coca-Cola Arena for what’s sure to be another unmissable home game. Fans can get their hands on a variety of tickets on Coca-Cola Arena’s website.

-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