Dubai Basketball clinch ABA League playoff qualification

Dubai Basketball delivered a commanding 100:82 victory over Bosna BH Telecom in Round 1 of the ABA League Top 8, securing qualification to the playoffs and becoming the first team to confirm their place post the ABA League second phase.

Hosting Bosna for the first time in the city, Dubai entered the second phase of the competition at the top of the Top 8 standings and reinforced their position with one of their most complete performances of the season, combining offensive balance with sustained defensive control.

The opening quarter set the tone. Dubai established early control through assertive offensive execution and disciplined half-court defence, keeping the game largely in the visitors’ half. Dzanan Musa found rhythm midway through the period, while Mfiondu Kabengele imposed himself physically inside. Although Bosna managed to reduce the deficit to four points late in the quarter, Dubai’s structure ensured they closed the first ten minutes with the advantage.

Head Coach of Dubai, Jurica Golemac commented on the teams’ performance, saying, “It was a very difficult game to play after these trips. Bosna is a very good team and the result doesn’t show the real face of the game. They fought well and we needed to play a really strong game to win. In the end, I’m happy that we made it.”

“It’s great that we are under pressure. That means we are standing well in February and that we achieved something. But we are looking game by game, putting pressure on ourselves because we know we can play with everybody if we are 100 per cent focused and 100 per cent together.”

Bosna responded in the second quarter, with Michael Lamor Young Jr making a significant impact and helping the visitors find improved flow offensively. Despite occasional defensive breakdowns that allowed Bosna to penetrate, many of the visitors’ attempts fell short under pressure. A timely three-pointer from Aleksa Avramović steadied Dubai, and improved ball movement exposed gaps in Bosna’s coverage. The hosts capitalised by stretching the margin to ten points, taking a 45–35 lead as their cohesion began to separate the sides.

The third quarter presented Bosna’s strongest push. The visitors opened the half with renewed intensity, briefly narrowing the gap behind a productive spell from Young again. However, Dubai’s physicality and versatility proved decisive. Kabengele’s ability to stretch the floor, combined with continued interior control, prevented Bosna from sustaining momentum. By the end of the period, Dubai had rebuilt a 12-point cushion and regained full command of the contest.

Bosna entered the final quarter with resilience, but Dubai’s offensive consistency ensured the lead never fell to a threatening margin, ultimately winning over the Bosnian side with an 18-point difference.

Kabengele led the scoring charge with 21 points, anchoring Dubai’s offensive production. Bosnia’s own Dzanan Musa added 15, while McKinley Wright contributed 13. The result strengthens Dubai’s position at the top of the standings and confirms their progression into the playoff stage as the ABA League season moves toward its decisive phase.

Dubai’s next home game marks another EuroLeague night as the fight for the playoffs intensifies. Following an away win against Milan, the team now sits in 11th place - just one spot shy of a Play-In berth.

Fans can catch the intense EuroLeague action on Thursday, February 26, at Coca-Cola Arena.