SuperSport Cup Krešimir Ćosić: Cibona through Zabok to the Final Eight

The first quarter was more or less even in terms of the score, with both teams level and the largest lead on either side being four points. The opening ten minutes ended 19–15 for Cibona.

The second quarter followed a similar scoring rhythm, and the teams went into halftime with Zabok leading 40–35. The top scorers of the first half were Justin Roberson for Cibona with 10 points and Karlo Uljarević for Zabok with 12.

In the third quarter, Zabok began to pull away, building a double-digit lead through Karlo Uljarević and Luka Tomas (the last being 63–50). However, Cibona, thanks to Justin Roberson, Kamaka Hepa, and Luka Škorić, cut the deficit to under ten (58–63) and got as close as -5 (after a two-pointer by Vigo Bart for 62–67). The final quarter began with the score at 69–64 for Zabok.

At the start of the last quarter, Škorić scored a two-pointer and Bart hit a three to bring Cibona level (69–69), while Roberson completed the comeback and gave them the lead (71–69). A series of three-pointers followed (Bart and Škorić for Cibona, Tomas for Zabok). Borna Katanović and captain Krešimir Radovčić extended Cibona’s lead to +8 at 77–74. With two and a half minutes remaining, Henrik Širko hit a three to give Zabok hope, but Katanović responded with two crucial consecutive three-pointers to put Cibona up by ten and effectively seal the win.

Cibona advanced to the Cup quarterfinals, joining Zadar, Split, Đakovo, Omiš, and Škrljevo. Roberson with 28 points and Tomas with 26 were the game’s top scorers.

Ivan Rudež, Cibona head coach: “Congratulations to Zabok on a great performance, they really made things difficult for us. We were searching for partial solutions, trying to find answers against their zone defense. It didn’t look good in the first half, I can’t say our offense was fluid. The difference compared to the previous game was that Justin Roberson played an excellent game. I can’t expect the younger players to carry the result; they are here to support and develop. We qualified and we want to host. Congratulations to the whole club”.

Vigo Bart, Cibona player: “We were still in shock from the previous game—we lost a league match—and today we started a bit cautiously, which they took advantage of. In the second half, we stepped it up and managed to secure the win. Čakarun joined us at the center position. Thank God we managed to win—this is a team effort and that’s basketball”.

Statistics are available HERE.