BC Sabah – ALBA Berlin Game Preview & Where to Watch as Berlin's reset hits the road

• → Game to take place at Baku Sports Palace, Baku on Wednesday, 15 October 2025 at 20:00 Local Time (AZT)
• → Form check: BC Sabah opened with a 93-65 loss at Nymburk; ALBA Berlin fell 81-76 to Elan Chalon despite Boogie Ellis pouring in 27.
• → Context: ALBA’s first BCL road test comes after a frustrating debut; Sabah get their first home night in the competition.
• → Group B after Round 1: Nymburk 1–0 (1st), Elan Chalon 1–0 (2nd), ALBA Berlin 0–1 (3rd), BC Sabah 0–1 (4th)

BC SABAH'S FIRST HOME STEP, BIG STAGE

Sabah’s introduction in Prague was rough: Nymburk’s pressure pulled them out of rhythm and the game slipped after halftime. Back in Baku, the priorities are simple: value the ball, defend without fouling, and feed the crowd with effort plays. The front line has size and activity, and there’s enough shot creation to make this competitive if they control emotions and keep the game in the 70s.

ALBA BERLIN: FIXING THE DEBUT, AND RIDING BOOGIE

What went wrong in the debut: ALBA led 43-35 at half but unraveled after the break. Twenty-one turnovers and 14 opponent offensive boards bled away possessions, and the offense stalled into long droughts. Exactly the stuff that flips a winnable opener.

Where they go from here: Start with the possession game. Cleaner ball security from the guard room, gang rebounding from the wings, and simpler actions that get downhill before defenses get set. Expect Pedro Calles to tighten late-game roles and lean on established ballhandlers (Martin Hermannsson, Jonas Mattisseck) alongside a big who screens and rolls with force (Norris Agbakoko or J’Wan Roberts). Hitting first on the glass and keeping turnover numbers in the low teens should be enough to steady the ship.

Boogie Ellis’ performance gives the German juggernauts some confidence: The American guard looked the part in Game 1 - 27 points, pace-changing bursts, and timely shotmaking to keep ALBA alive. The next step is continuity: use his gravity earlier in actions, pair him with another playmaker to share initiations, and trust him to close. If Ellis gets to his spots without having to self-create every trip, ALBA’s offense will breathe.

STAKES

Sabah’s shot at a statement in front of a full house; ALBA’s chance to prove the opener was a blip and get back to .500 before the schedule tightens.

HOW TO WATCH BC SABAH VS ALBA BERLIN

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