ADRIATIC/NLB LEAGUE - Vujosevic praises Partizan players

BELGRADE (Adriatic League) - Partizan coach Dusko Vujosevic hailed his side after watching them cruise to an impressive 83-60 victory over Union Olimpija in an 11th-round derby match in the Adriatic League.

Led once again by 21-year-old Montenegrin power forward Nikola Pekovic, who scored 16 points while missing just two shots and grabbing seven rebounds for 24 minutes, the Serbian and Adriatic title holders made their coach proud.

"I'm really satisfied with how we played in this game. Therefore, I must congratulate my players for showing their true quality," said Vujosevic, whose team moved onto 10-1 for the campaign and remain clear of the pack.

"We've defeated Olimpija by 23 points, and that's a team which is not easy to beat. I agree, they have many ups and downs in this season, but they've caused the biggest surprise in the Euroleague so far by defeating CSKA Moscow."

Partizan outrebounded their opponents 22-36, and also capitalised on Olimpija's misfortune as the hosts' forward Marko Milic - once drafted by Philadelphia 76ers and a former Phoenix Suns player - left the court after just 11 minutes with an ankle injury.

"We caught them when they lacked momentum," admitted Vujosevic.

"But that was not an easy task, though. Our good defense is something I'm really satisfied with. We must continue with these kind of performances."

Goran Dragic led the way for the Slovenian outfit with 16 points and five steals but could not prevent Olimpija (6-5) tumbling to sixth in the table.

In other matches this round, there were few problems for the top teams.

Partizan's bitter city rivals, Red Star (9-2), stayed second after storming to a 92-71 triumph over another Slovenian team Geoplin Slovan. Elmedin Kikanovic poured in 18 points to lead five home players in double-digit scores.

Zadar (8-3), as well as Hemofarm and Cibona (both tied at 7-4), were also victorious.

Zadar defeated Vojvodina (5-6) 82-73 thanks to Corey Brewer's 13 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals.

Hemofarm easily outplayed Helios (2-9) to prevail 88-75 with newcomer Rawle Marshall scoring 25 points including five three-pointers, while Levour Christopher Warren's 26-point haul helped Cibona overcome two-time regional champions FMP (5-6) 90-81.

Elsewhere, Buducnost (5-6) defeated Zagreb CO (3-8) 89-84, while Siroki Prima pivo (2-9) secured their second win of the season by beating Split CO (5-6) 79-77.

Darko Nikolic
FIBA