DUBAI: Dubai Basketball began their defence of the ABA League championship with a composed 85-70 victory over Perspektiva Ilirija in Ljubljana on Sunday, putting the reigning champions on the board in the 2026/27 competition.
The Dubai side controlled the contest from the opening minutes at Tivoli Sports Hall and never surrendered the lead. The result came after their scheduled ABA League opener against Vienna was postponed, making the trip to Slovenia their first league appearance of the new campaign.
Head coach Xavi Pascual used the occasion to give his squad a different look. Thomas Walkup, Davion Mintz, Tornike Shengelia and Mamadi Diakite joined Dwayne Bacon in the starting five, while McKinley Wright IV, Mfiondu Kabengele and Davis Bertans were rested. Elie Okobo and Jaron Blossomgame were held back until the second half.
Dubai made an immediate impression from three-point range, converting five of their first seven attempts from beyond the arc. An early 7-0 run helped them move 16-8 ahead before Ilirija briefly reduced the deficit.
The visitors responded by restoring control and finished the opening quarter with a double-digit advantage. Their pressure continued in the second period, when Ilirija went more than three minutes before making its first field goal.
Dubai then produced a 17-0 scoring burst in less than four minutes, opening up a substantial advantage. They went into the interval 20 points clear after shooting 7-of-14 from three-point range in the first half. Kenan Kamenjaš also provided an important presence on the boards, collecting seven rebounds during a productive spell.
Pascual continued to rotate his players after half-time. Kosta Kondić, Okobo, Nemanja Dangubić, Blossomgame and Diakite opened the third quarter for Dubai.
Okobo quickly made an impact, scoring on a step-back three before setting up Kamenjaš for a lob and dunk. He played the entire third quarter, finishing that period with eight points and two assists before sitting out the remainder of the game.
Dubai entered the final quarter with a 24-point cushion. Ilirija mounted a late response, including three three-pointers during a 16-5 run over the final three-and-a-half minutes, but the Slovenian side could not threaten the outcome.
Mintz led Dubai with 20 points, shooting 7-of-12 from the field and 5-of-9 from three-point range. Kamenjaš finished with 11 points and eight rebounds, while Shengelia contributed 11 points and four assists. Ilirija’s veteran forward Edo Murić led his team with 15 points and five rebounds.
The victory marks the start of Dubai Basketball’s second ABA League campaign as defending champions. The club won its maiden title last season, beating Partizan Mozzart Bet 3-1 in the 2025/26 finals and becoming the first team representing Dubai and the UAE to win the competition.
The champions have also entered the new season with significant changes. Pascual took over as head coach, while the club retained much of its championship core and added players including Walkup, Okobo, Mintz, Diakite, Shengelia and Blossomgame.
The 2026/27 ABA League has a new format, with 20 clubs divided into two groups of 10. Teams play each opponent in their group twice, with the top four from each group advancing to the Top 8 stage. Points accumulated during the regular season carry into the next phase.
Dubai will now return to the UAE for their next EuroLeague assignment against Crvena Zvezda on Thursday, October 8, before continuing their busy multi-competition schedule.
What was the score between Dubai Basketball and Ilirija?
Dubai Basketball defeated Perspektiva Ilirija 85-70 in Ljubljana.
When did Dubai Basketball begin their 2026/27 ABA League campaign?
Their first completed ABA League game of the campaign was the October 4 match against Perspektiva Ilirija. Their scheduled opening game against Vienna had previously been postponed.
Who scored the most points for Dubai Basketball?
Davion Mintz was Dubai’s leading scorer with 20 points, including five three-pointers.
Who is Dubai Basketball’s head coach?
Xavi Pascual is the team’s head coach for the 2026/27 season.
Where was the Dubai Basketball vs Ilirija game played?
The game was played at Tivoli Sports Hall in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Are Dubai Basketball the defending ABA League champions?
Yes. Dubai Basketball won their first ABA League title in 2025/26, defeating Partizan Mozzart Bet 3-1 in the final.
What is different about the 2026/27 ABA League format?
The 20 participating clubs are split into two groups of 10. The top four teams from each group advance to the Top 8 stage, with points carried forward.
