The 20th competition of Dudu Dadiani Memorial has started

Dudu Dadiani’s traditional, memorial tournament started today at the Olympic Palace. The tournament named after the tragically deceased vice-president of the Georgian Basketball Federation has been held since 2002 and this year it is being held for the 20th time. 9 teams of Super League are participating in the tournament, which are divided into 3 groups. 3 matches of the first round were held today.

Group A – Cactus vs Mega 65:70 (Statistics)

Super League debutant Mega won the very first match of the season. It is true that Dudu Dadiani’s tournament is unofficial and the teams mainly use it to select the roster, to test legionnaires and newcomers, but the victory is also quite valuable and Mega should be satisfied with a successful match.

The team completely changed after upgrading from the A league. Russian coach, Mikhail Teriyokhov and 4 legionnaires – Nikita Leshkov, Nikolai Mukha, Tyrell Corbin and Djimon Henson. Several Georgians have been added to these foreigners and they will try to achieve the desired result in the Super League. In the first match of the Dadiani Memorial, Mega played better and more in order than its rival Cactus and accordingly, deserved to win.

Cactus coached by Archil Zhghenti will probably have to make a number of changes next season to find the desired game and results. The fate of this match was decided at the last minute. After Luka Zakradze’s exact three pointer, 2.5 minutes before the end, the score was 65:65. Mega’s American legionnaire Djimon Henson advanced mega 67:65 with a two pointer, after which, Cactus didn’t use a number of chances to equalize the score. On the other hand, Tyler Corbin, secured the victory with precise free throws.

Oto Buliava and Djimon Henson led the winners with 18-18 points. Corbin had 17 points, Nikolai Mukha scored 5 points and 12 rebounds. Andre Fox was the most effective in Cactus with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Luka Zaqradze had 14 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Ricky Madison collected 14 points and 15 rebounds.

The current owner of Dudu Dadiani Cup – Kutaisi was resting in this group today, they will face Mega tomorrow.

Group B – Titebi vs Vera 69:77 (Statistics)

Former member of the Georgian national team, Besik Lezhava, who played in many Georgian clubs, made his debut as a head coach. His team Titebi lost to Vera by 8 points in the first match of Dudu Dadiani Memorial. Vera was leading with more than 20 points during the game, but at the end of the match Titebi gained a chance to win, which they could not use and Vera coached by Davit Gasitashvili, had a deserved victory.

The weather on both of these teams was created by legionnaires and it’s likely to be the case throughout this season as well. Vera let go of the team leader, member of the national team – Givi Bakradze in Olmpi and the leadership of the team brought legionnaires to replace him in the back line. One of them is Darrell Brown, who is a 180 cm tall player and has coped well with the task. He scored 12 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds.

One of the best in terms of efficiency was Thach Unruh, who scored 17 points. Giorgi Tsirikidze was distinct in Vera with 13 points, one more American legionnaire -Zac Seljaas had the best result – 23 points and 6 rebounds. Jordan Robertson was the most effective in Titebi with 25 points and 7 rebounds. Isaac Asrat had 16 points.

The third team of this group is Tskhum-Apkhazeti, which will face Vera tomorrow.

Group G – Olimpi vs Rustavi 95:78 (Statistics)

Olimpi coached by David Rogava will be one of the favorites of both Dudu Dadiani Memorial and the whole season. This team has a good balance of legionnaires and local both experienced and young players. The Olympians retain several leading Georgian players and legionnaires, which is one of the prerequisites for the team’s success.

Olimpi defeated last season’s Super League champion Rustavi, which has quite good legionnaires. Qvemo Qartli coached by Anatoli Boisa could not do anything to the balanced team of Olimpi. In the first period, the Tbilisi team won 32:17, after which it maintained the lead throughout the game.

Young Luka Kalatozishvili led the winners with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Kakha Jintcharadze had 17 points and 7 rebounds, Givi Baqradze scored 12 points and 8 assists. Christian Kyling was the most effective in Rustavi with 26 points, Ricky Price had 18 points.

The third member of this group – TSU will be involved in the competition tomorrow, with a match against Rustavi.