It’s game day: Dubai Basketball takes on Cedevita in quarter-final decider
Fans urged to pack Coca-Cola Arena for tonight’s showdown
DUBAI: The wait is over – one of the most thrilling nights in regional sports is finally here.
Dubai Basketball will face Slovenia’s Cedevita Olimpija tonight, Tuesday, 20 May, in the decisive third game of the ABA League Quarter-Finals. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM at the Coca-Cola Arena, where fans are expected to pack the stands for this make-or-break showdown.
With a place in the Semi-Finals on the line, the stakes could not be higher. A win will propel Dubai Basketball into a clash with Serbian heavyweights Partizan. A loss will end their spectacular debut campaign in the league – a run that has already made history for the UAE’s basketball scene.
Season of surprises
Dubai Basketball has defied expectations in their inaugural season in the ABA League. Founded in 2023, the franchise entered the 2024/25 competition and quickly became one of the top-performing teams. They finished third in the regular season, securing a well-earned spot in the playoffs and sending a clear message to the European basketball world.
Their rapid rise has brought international attention to Dubai, turning the city into a new force on the hardwood. The Quarter-Final series has been intense from the start. In Game 1, held at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai edged out Cedevita in a nail-biting win. But the Slovenians bounced back in Game 2 on home turf, levelling the series and setting up tonight’s decider.
Global firepower
Much of Dubai’s success comes down to its world-class roster. Leading the team is captain Klemen Prepelić, a EuroLeague veteran, backed by Latvian NBA sharpshooter Davis Bertans. The lineup includes players from the USA, Turkey, Slovenia, Jordan, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Bosnia, the Philippines, and France – a diverse mix of talent with international accolades.
Behind the scenes is a high-powered team of FIBA-certified coaches, former professional athletes, and business experts who have built the franchise into a symbol of ambition, diversity, and sporting excellence in the region.
All eyes on Coca-Cola Arena
Tonight’s match is more than a game – it’s a turning point. As fans pour into Coca-Cola Arena, the atmosphere is expected to be electric. Organisers are calling on supporters to show up in full force and help turn the venue into an unbreakable wall of noise and energy for the home side.
Game 3 of the ABA League Quarter-Finals tips off at 7:30 PM. Tickets are still available through the Coca-Cola Arena website, starting from Dh35.