#ABAMemories: Third trophy in a row for Crvena zvezda mts
On this day, exactly 3 years ago, Crvena zvezda mts have completed their three years long championship winning streak, as they have swept over Cedevita Zagreb in the Finals and grabbed their third regional league trophy.
(Photo: Cedevita/Marin Susic)
The 2016/17 ABA League season has for sure been a dream season for Crvena zvezda mts and their fans. The squad, led from the bench by head coach Dejan Radonjić, and with players Milko Bjelica, Nemanja Dangubić, Ognjen Dobrić, Marko Gudurić, Charles Jenkins, Stefan Jović, Ognjen Kuzmić, Branko Lazić, Luka MItrović, Petar Rakićević, Nikola Rebić, Boriša Simanić, Marko Simonović, Deon Thompson and Nathan Walters on court, has dominated the Regular Season.
They have suffered only one single defeat in 26 rounds and taking the first place in the standings, ahead of second-placed Cedevita (20 victories), third-placed Partizan NIS (19 victories) and fourth-placed Budućnost VOLI (18 victories).
In the Playoffs, Crvena zvezda mts have first met Budućnost VOLI in the Semi-finals and after a comfortable 82:67 home-court win in Game 1, they have been defeated in the second game of the series in Podgorica 63:57. Game 3 decided about the finalists and Crvena zvezda mts rolled over their competitors easily, with the score of 82:59. Charles Jenkins shined in the decisive Game 3, as he scored 17 points (3/5 for 3 points), while Marko Simonović added 14 points, Ognjen Kuzmić 13 and Milko Bjelica 10.
Finals followed and Zvezda’s rivals in the big series were Cedevita, that have edged out Partizan NIS 2:1 in the Semi-final series as well.
The peak of the season turned out to be an unexpectedly easy task for the red and white, that have swept the Finals, with the scores of 81:66, 84:73 and 77:61.
Charles Jenkins has dominated the Playoffs all the way and was named the Playoffs MVP. he exploded when it was the necessary time to replace on court the injured starting point guard Stefan Jović and his contribution. Jenkins led Crvena zvezda mts to victories in the most important three games of the playoffs – in the game 3 of the Semi-finals (valuation of 24), and the opening two games of the Finals (valuations 23 and 24). Altogether, his average contribution in the Playoffs has been 12.3 points, 5,3 assists, 3 rebounds and 1,5 steals, which sums up for average valuation of 15.2, the most of all Crvena zvezda mts players during the Playoffs.
This has been the third consecutive trophy for Crvena zvezda mts in the regional competition and the last one in their championship winning streak, as next season, they have been replaced at the throne by Budućnost VOLI of Podgorica for one season, just to return to the ABA League top in the 2018/19 season again.
2016/17 ABA League Finals, Round 1, Monday, 10.4.2017:
CRVENA ZVEZDA MTS - Cedevita 81:66 (16:27, 29:17, 21:10, 15:12) STATS
Round 2, Tuesday, 11.4.2017:
CRVENA ZVEZDA MTS – Cedevita 84:73 (29:18, 28:16, 15:16, 12:23) STATS
Round 3, Thursday, 13.4.2017:
Cedevita – CRVENA ZVEZDA MTS 61:77 (18:22, 21:24, 9:19, 13:12) STATS
