#ABAFutureStars: Zvezda and Cibona grab two wins each on the opening day

Last season's finalists U19 Crvena zvezda mts and U19 Cibona made a flying start in the U19 ABA League Championship 2019/20. Both teams scored per two wins on the opening day of the Group Stage and they are currently holding the top sports on the standings. U19 Crvena zvezda mts defeated U19 Koper Primorska and U19 Cedevita Olimpija, while U19 Cibona prevailed over U19 Krka and U19 Igokea.

Round 1 recap:

U19 Cibona defeated U19 Krka in the first game of Group A by 100:71, mostly thanks to their truly amazing performance in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. In those 20 minutes U19 Cibona squad scored no less than 69 points (!!!), while on the other side U19 Krka scored 27 points for the same period. 

In the second game in Group A, U19 Igokea prevailed over U19 Budućnost VOLI - 85:83. Kosta Kondić was the top scorer in the winning team with 26 points, but the MVP of the match was actually his teammate Đorđe Topolović who finished the match with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. On the other side, Budućnost VOLI hot prospect Fedor Žugić made 28 points.

U19 Mega Bemax scored a big win at the start of the group stage by defeating U19 Partizan NIS - 89:74. Aleksandar Langović was simply unstoppable in this match. Mega Bemax youngster scored 25 points, had 11 rebounds, while his overall index rating was 37!

U19 Crvena zvezda mts had no problems defeating U19 Koper Primorska in the opening game of Group B - 95:50. The red & whites were outstanding in their defensive tasks, while they presented a high level of teamwork in offensive plays. Crvena zvezda mts had five players who reached double digits, while 11 of of their 12 points made it to the score sheet in this match.

U19 Cedevita Olimpija defeated Group B hosts U19 Zadar - 85:71. Miha Cerkvenik (25 pts, 9 rebounds) and Alen Malovčič (18 pts. 13 rebounds) led the young Dragons toward this comfortable win. On the other side, 16-year old Duje Brala was the best player in Zadar's troops with 19 points and 6 rebounds. 

The last match of the opening round in Group B was by far the most exciting. U19 MZT Skopje Aerodrom defeated U19 Mornar in overtime! Mornar player Balša Živanović made the 3-pointer in the dying seconds of the 4th quarter to force overtime, however that did not help his team to win the match. Led by Viktor Isajloski (26 pts, 6 rebounds), MZT Skopje Aerodrom prevailed in overtime and scored a valuable win.

Round 2 recap:

Cibona youngster Sandro Rašić marked the opening game of Round 2. This 18-year old guard scored 29 points (including 8 three-pointers!!!) and led his team toward the win against U19 Igokea in Group A - 90:68.

At the same time, U19 Crvena zvezda mts once again used their top-class defense to beat U19 Cedevita Olimpija - 69:59. The red & whites have therefore kep the perfect score and they are currently all alone at the top of Group B.

U19 ABA League Championship Group A, Round 2, 28.11.2019:

U19 CIBONA - U19 Igokea 90:68 | LIVE STATS | PHOTO GALLERY

Group B:

U19 CRVENA ZVEZDA MTS - U19 Cedevita Olimpija 69:59 | LIVE STATS | PHOTO GALLERY

Other games of the day:

Group A, Round 1:

U19 CIBONA - U19 Krka 100:71 | STATS | PHOTO GALLERY | VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

U19 IGOKEA - U19 Budućnost VOLI 85:83 | STATS | PHOTO GALLERY | VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

U19 Partizan NIS - MEGA BEMAX 74:89 | STATS | PHOTO GALLERY

Group B, Round 1:

U19 CRVENA ZVEZDA - U19 Koper Primorska 95:50 | STATS | PHOTO GALLERY | VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

U19 CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA - U19 Zadar 85:71 | STATS | PHOTO GALLERY | VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

U19 MZT SKOPJE AERODROM - Mornar 82:73 | LIVE STATS | PHOTO GALLERY