U-BT Cluj-Napoca Forces Game 3 Following a Thriller vs. Budućnost VOLI

AdmiralBet ABA League Quarterfinals Round 2, Friday, 8 May 2026:

U-BT CLUJ-NAPOCA - Budućnost VOLI 94:90 (25:24, 19:23, 29:23, 21:20)

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POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game recap: AdmiralBet ABA League quarter-final series between Budućnost VOLI and U-BT Cluj-Napoca will head to a decisive Game 3 after the Romanian side claimed a 94:90 home victory in Game 2 to level the series at 1-1.

The contest in BT Arena delivered nearly 40 minutes of back-and-forth basketball, with neither side able to create significant separation for most of the night. Cluj-Napoca opened strongly and established an early 13:5 advantage, but Budućnost responded quickly and reduced the gap to a single point by the end of the opening quarter (25:24).

The visitors moved in front early in the second period, and the lead changed hands repeatedly throughout the remainder of the first half. Budućnost briefly found momentum behind consecutive three-pointers from Yogi Ferrell and Juwan Morgan, before taking a 44:47 lead into halftime.

Budućnost extended the margin to five points early in the third quarter at 49:54, but U-BT Cluj-Napoca answered immediately and restored balance to the game. The teams continued trading baskets until the hosts entered the final quarter with a narrow 73:70 advantage.

The closing minutes brought another dramatic swing. Cluj-Napoca built an eight-point cushion at 80:72, only for Budućnost to respond with an 8:0 run and regain the lead at 85:84. Ferrell later gave the Podgorica side an 88:87 advantage with just over three minutes remaining, but it proved to be their final lead of the night. A late turnover by Budućnost allowed Daron Russell to punish from long range, sealing the 94:90 win for the home side.

Juwan Morgan and Yogi Ferrell led Budućnost with 15 and 14 points, respectively, while U-BT Cluj-Napoca had several players contribute in key moments to force the series back to Podgorica for the deciding game on May 12.

Key moments: The decisive stretch arrived midway through the fourth quarter. After entering the final period ahead 73:70, U-BT Cluj-Napoca opened the quarter with an 8:0 run to create their biggest lead of the game at 78:70, and shortly after extended it to 80:72.

Although Budućnost answered with an impressive comeback and briefly reclaimed the lead at 88:87, the Romanian side stayed composed in the closing possessions. With under 30 seconds remaining and the game still within reach, Budućnost committed a costly turnover that shifted momentum decisively. Cluj-Napoca capitalized immediately, knocking down a three-pointer to extend the lead to 94:90 and close out the victory.

Man of the Match: Nighael Ceaser delivered an outstanding all-around performance for U-BT Cluj-Napoca and played a major role in keeping his team alive in the series.

The versatile forward finished the game with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 2 steals, providing energy on both ends of the floor throughout the evening. Ceaser’s presence in the paint and his activity on the glass were especially important during crucial stretches of the second half, helping Cluj-Napoca maintain control during the closing minutes.

Can’t Trick the Stats: The difference inside the arc proved to be one of the defining statistical factors of the game.

U-BT Cluj-Napoca shot an efficient 25/40 from two-point range and finished with 40 points in the paint, consistently finding success near the basket. Budućnost VOLI, meanwhile, went 18/37 from inside the arc and recorded 32 points in the paint.

That advantage in interior scoring allowed the Romanian side to maintain offensive rhythm even during stretches when the game tightened late in the fourth quarter, ultimately helping them secure the win and force a decisive Game 3.