Dubai Basketball leads 1:0 to Cedevita Olimpija in the best-of-three Quarter Finals series and will head to Slovenia to play their second game on 16 May

Dubai, 12 May 2025: In a night that will go down in UAE basketball history, Dubai Basketball delivered an unforgettable performance, clinching a 86:85 victory over Slovenia’s Cedevita Olimpija in Game 1 of the ABA League Quarter Finals at Coca-Cola Arena.
A one-point margin was all that separated the home side from the sixth-seeded Slovenian visitors in what turned out to be one of the most dramatic games of the season. The win, held at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena in front of nearly a sold-out crowd, gave Dubai a 1:0 lead in the best-of-three series.

From the opening whistle to the final buzzer, neither side managed to establish a defining lead. “We know Cedevita Olimpija is a very good team, a very physical team – it will be a tough game” said Dubai Basketball coach Jurica Golemac in the pre-game press conference – accurately predicting what was to come.

Neither side managed to stretch the lead beyond two points by the end of a quarter, with momentum shifting possession by possession. That was until Cedevita took advantage of Dubai’s sudden defensive lapse. As the third quarter drew closer, the home team were edging towards a 10-point deficit. But just when momentum seemed to be shifting away, the crowd – nearly 5,000 strong – rose to the occasion to urge on the home team to make the comeback that ensured the win.

“This was a real playoff game. We had everything,” said Dubai head coach Jurica Golemac post-match. “We were down three times and kept coming back. We never gave up, despite all the problems and everything that happened.”

American guard Nate Mason set the tone with an early jump shot and went on to deliver a standout performance, finishing with 18 points and five assists. He was named Man of the Match, sharing top scorer honours with team captain Klemen Prepelič.

Prepelič, reflecting on the team’s unrelenting spirit, said “There was no moment where we thought we were out of this. It was all about passion and hard work. We’ve worked all season to earn this home-court advantage – and tonight we played with pride. The fans were incredible, and I think that energy pushed us. Everyone’s fighting for each other, and that passion showed on the floor.”

Dubai Basketball’s next challenge comes on the road at Slovenia. Going in with a 1:0 lead, Dubai will face Cedevita Olimpija in their hometown, Ljubljana. The next game, if won by Dubai – will seal the team’s place in the Semi-Finals. Whereas a loss would mean the final deciding game will be played at Coca-Cola Arena on 20 May.

As Coach Golemac said after the final buzzer, “We protected our home court, which we earned throughout the season. Now we’re going there to finish it.”

-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

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This season has been unforgettable for Dubai Basketball and it’s all because of you, our incredible season ticket holders.

You’ve been right there with us at every home game, bringing the energy, the passion, and pushing us to be better every time we stepped on the court. Your unwavering support is one of the reason we are now stepping into one of the biggest moments for the club and we want you right there with us!

We are happy to share with you an exclusive ticket to our first-ever playoff game on May 11th at Coca-Cola Arena. Let’s pack the arena and make some noise, Yalla Dubai!