SLO – Helios Domzale leads in final series

LJUBLJANA (UPC Telemach league) – Helios Domzale pulled a tight home victory (76-74) against Union Olimpija in the first match of the Slovenian championship final series.

The victory is somehow no surprise, considering Olimpija’s unenviable financial state and decimated roster. Slightly surprising is actually the final narrow margin, which conscientiously reflects the course of the match. Play-off series can be unpredictable, and Olimpija might not have yet said the final word.

Domzale led by six 4 minutes into the first quarter (10-4), but Olimpija’s Ivica Jurkovic scored two consecutive triples to level the score. Helios’ Smiljan Pavic and Aleksej Laskevich did well in the following minutes, but could not shake off their opponents as Olimpija notched another four shots from behind the arc. Guests led by five after the first quarter (19-24).

Helios’ Aljaz Janza scored five points and Ziga Zagorc two while keeping Olimpija scoreless four minutes into the second quarter (26-24). Helios achieved another five-point streak in the final minute of this quarter to meet the half-time break with a four-point lead (39-35).

Domzale opened the second half with a quick seven-point streak to boost the lead (46-35). However, Olimpija did not give up and closed the third period trailing by one point (57-56).

Guests shot well from the distance in the opening minutes of the final period; Lee Dwayne Terrel and Domen Lorbek scored two triples apiece, and Slavko Duscak scored another two-pointer. Olimpija led by six five minutes into the final period (64-70).

Guests unwisely carried on with such tactics, while Helios closed the gap by scoring from the paint. Teams were lined-up at 70 three minutes to go. Harsh defenses with few baskets denoted the following minutes; Lee Dwayne Terrell was fouled out less than a minute to go after playing for the full 39 minutes and scoring 18 points with 5 successful shots from behind the arc. Smiljan Pavic scored both free-throws to give his team the lead (73-72).

Seconds later, Helios’ Sasa Doncic scored one from the free-throw line, followed by Olimpija’s Domen Lorbek netting both free-throws to tie the score at 74.

Slavko Duscak then fouled Aljaz Janza three seconds to the final buzzer. Helios’ guard did not let the opportunity go and scored both to seal the final score at 76-74.

Smiljan Pavic had 17 points and 11 rebounds for Helios, but Ziga Zagorc, Sasa Doncic, and Aljaz Janza were all clutching for Helios.

Lee Dwayne Terrel had 18 points for Olimpija and Domen Lorbek had 16.

Despite listing ten players in the scoresheet, Olimpija can actually count only on seven healthy players. Finnish star point guard is sidelined due to a heel injury, and Georgian guard Manuchar Markoishvili suffered a thigh muscle injury in the semi-final series against Geoplin Slovan. Serbian center Marko Rakocevic played over 26 minutes despite his Achilles tendon’s injury.

The second meeting in the best-of-five series is scheduled for Thursday in Ljubljana’s Tivoli Hall.

Simon Licen
FIBA