Adriatic League: three unbeaten through week four

Buducnost Voli Podgorica moved to the top of the Adriatic League (ABA) standings with a cruise in Round 4 of the Regular Season. The Montenegrin club is among three that have remained unbeaten so far through this 2016/2016 season. Among those untouched outfits is current back-to-back champions Crvena Zvezda Belgrade.

The champs have got their title defense off to a perfect start and is showing that a three-peat is a real possibility. Crvena Zvezda’a great rival Partizan Belgrade will be out to stop the champions. Partizan has ditched the terrible starts that have dogged its last two Adriatic League campaigns and is 4-0 in the standings so far.

Buducnost Voli Podgorica vs. Krka, 91-62

Buducnost stormed to the top of the ABA with a demolition job over Krka at home. The Montenegro champions put thirty points on its Slovenian rival to stay unblemished at 4-0 this season. 54 points in the paint saw the hosts build their victory under the post and control much of the contest. Buducnost plundered 24 points in the first quarter and stopped Krka at 14, a ten point advantage that set a tone. Another 23 points in the second frame put the home team on 47 points, while Krka limped to 30 points through the long break. Buducnost continued to build through each act and capped a fine display with a huge 29 points in the fourth quarter.

Nemanja Vranjes led the win with 17 points, while Boris Savovic added 12 points and 6 rebounds.

Ziga Dimec paced Krka with 12 points, followed by Ron Curry and Dominique Elliot with 10 points apiece.

Karpos Sokoli vs. Partizan Belgrade, 77-84

Looking to exorcise the ghosts of the previous two seasons, Partizan continued its good early season form with a road win over Sokoli. The Belgrade giant remains the winningest club in Adriatic League history with six titles, but has been eclipsed by rival Crvena Zvezda in recent seasons. This contest was fierce as both teams maintained a frenetic pace through three quarters. Partizan led 20-22 after ten minutes, but was cut back by a point in the second quarter to lead 41-42 through the long break. A 20-20 tied third made it 61-62 through three buzzers, but the visitors finally pulled away with consistency at the bucket in the fourth quarter.

Wiliam Hatcher topped the win with 21 points, while Novica Velickovic scored 13 points and Branislav Ratkovia contributed 12 points.

Dragan Zekovic and Darko Sokolov both scored 15 points for the Sokoli. Kendrick Perry was also consistent in attack with 14 points in the losing effort.

Crvena Zvezda Belgrade vs. Mega Leks, 96-76

2015 and 2016 champs Crvena Zvezda has already shown this season that it will not relinquish its title easy. It seems apparent that to win the 2016 ABA, the Belgrade club will need to be defeated. However, it’s so far so good in pursuit of a three-peat as Red Store took apart Mega Leks at home this weekend. The damage was done through a blistering first half. The hosts drained 32 points in the first quarter for an 18 points advantage. A 24-17 second frame followed which left Mega Leks trailing 56-31 through halftime. Crvena Zvezda was able to cruise through the second half while protecting its lead.

Luka Mitrovic was the spark for the win with 19 points, 8 boards, and 6 assists. Nemanja Dangubic followed with 16 points for the winners.

Marko Tejic also contributed 19 points for Mega Leks.