Dubai, 12 May 2025: In a night destined to be remembered as a landmark moment in UAE sports history, Dubai Basketball Club secured a dramatic 86-85 victory over Slovenia’s Cedevita Olimpija in Game 1 of the ABA League Quarter Finals — marking the team’s first-ever appearance in the playoff stage.
Adding to the historic atmosphere, the game witnessed the surprise attendance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. His Highness was joined by His Excellency Abdulla Al Naboodah, founder of Dubai Basketball Club. Their presence electrified the nearly sold-out crowd at Coca-Cola Arena, demonstrating unwavering support for the team and its pioneering journey.
The narrow one-point win gives Dubai a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series, with the team now heading to Ljubljana, Slovenia for the second game scheduled on 16 May.
From tip-off to the final buzzer, neither side managed to establish a commanding lead. Dubai head coach Jurica Golemac, who had earlier warned of Cedevita’s physical and disciplined play, accurately anticipated the intensity of the matchup.
Momentum shifted possession by possession, and while Cedevita capitalized on a brief defensive lapse by the home side to pull ahead in the third quarter, the game never slipped out of reach. As Dubai found itself facing a double-digit deficit, a passionate crowd of nearly 5,000 fans rallied behind the team, fueling a comeback that ultimately secured the win.
“This was a real playoff battle,” said Golemac after the game. “We were down three separate times and came back every time. The team showed incredible character — we never gave up, no matter what happened.”
American guard Nate Mason set the tone early 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 honors with team captain Klemen Prepelič.
Reflecting on the team’s spirit, Prepelič said: “At no point did we feel out of this game. It was all about passion and perseverance. We fought all season to earn home-court advantage, and tonight, we played with heart and pride. The fans were incredible — their energy lifted us, and you could see that fire on the court.”
The team now looks ahead to a crucial Game 2 in Slovenia. A win would secure Dubai’s place in the ABA League Semi-Finals, while a loss would force a decisive Game 3 back home at Coca-Cola Arena on 20 May.
As Coach Golemac confidently stated: “We protected our home court — now we’re going to finish the job on the road.”
