TIP-OFF: Mario Kasun (Zagreb) vs Miro Bilan (Cedevita)
Cedevita Zagreb won the first edition of Drazen Petrovic Cup co-organized by Croatian Basketball Federation (CBF) and Museum-Memorial Center “Drazen Petrovic”. Cedevita faced local rival Zagreb CO in three categories (cadets, juniors, seniors) and needed to achieve victories in at least two categories.
After Cedevita’s cadets led by Sabic (23 points) won the first game of the day by 74:63, Zagreb Co was able to equalize the score with the 78:65 victory of their junior team led by European phenom triangle of Saric-Hezonja-Mavra which combined for 53 points.
In the decisive game of the day, after nervous and rough start by both teams, Cedevita was able to lead throughout the complete game and convincingly beat Croatian champion Zagreb CO by 78:61.
Cedevita was paced by F Vedran Vukusic’s 18 points, while F/C Matjaz Smodis added 13 points. For the losing side SG Kruno Simon had 21 points, while C Mario Kasun added 13 points.
General impression is that Cedevita has done much better job in the off-season by bringing in more experienced and compatible reinforcements while Zagreb has done very questionable job and could be on it’s way to experience trouble in the upcoming Euroleague competition.
Although he was on his team’s bench in the final game in which his team trailed by as much as 21-points, phenom Dario Saric didn’t enter the game due to a coach Buric’s decision.
