Partizan regains ABA League crown

Coach Zeljko Obradovic's team ousted Buducnost

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade is once again the ABA League champion after a 90-75 win over Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in Game 4 of the best-of-five finals series which ended on Thursday night. In a packed-to-the-rafters Belgrade Arena, Partizan finished off Buducnost for a 3-1 series win to celebrate its record eighth league title.

Partizan took the lead for good in the second quarter behind Sterling Brown and Brendon Davies. The hosts were 49-44 ahead at halftime, then pulled away to a double-digit lead by opening the third quarter with an 8-0 run, with Davies and Iffe Lundberg enjoying starring roles. Yogi Ferrell kept Buducnost’s hopes alive as the visitors cut the margin to single digits on several occasions.

However, Carlik and Tyrique Jones pushed the margin to 81-62 in fourth as Partizan cruised to the title. Davies and Brown led Partizan with 18 points apiece, Carlik Jones had 17 points and 9 assists, while Lundberg and Isaac Bonga each scored 13. Ferrell netted 23 points for Buducnost.

The ABA League Finals MVP was Tyrique Jones thanks to his performances in an 89-94 Partizan road win in Game 1 (24 points, 10 rebounds) and an 83-67 win in Game 3 (12 points, 10 rebounds).

The season does not end here for Partizan, however, as it moves on to play the Serbian League playoffs, where it faces FMP Zeleznik in the semifinals. The other Serbian League semifinal will feature Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade and Spartak Subotica.