:watermark(https://f.pmo.ee//logos/4232/4ebd6f5dc62d0c4b6f1961c46e2f0303.png,-2p,-2p,0,18,none):format(webp)/nginx/o/2026/03/21/17522243t1h7b4a.jpg "17522243t1h7b4a.jpg")
Yukatel Merkezefendi Belediyesi Basket upset TOFAŞ 93-88 (21:24, 27:23, 17:18, 28:23) on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
Kristers Zoriks played for 31 minutes and 10 seconds, converting three of five two-point attempts, two of four three-point attempts and four of five free throws. He similarly recorded five rebounds, one steal, two fouls, and four drawn fouls, finishing with a +/- of +7 and an efficiency rating of 17.
Latvian basketball player Zoriks and Alen Omič led the winning team with 16 points apiece. Hugo Besson paced the home side with 24 points.
Also on Saturday, Rolands Šmits and Istanbul Anadolu Efes will visit Istanbul Bahcesehir Koleji, while on Sunday, Artūrs Žagars’ Istanbul Fenerbahce will host Esenler Erokspor, and Izmir Petkim Spor, featuring Roberts Blumbergs, will welcome Bursaspor.
Fenerbahce holds the top spot with 20 wins in 22 games, while Anadolu Efes is sixth with 14 wins. Merkezefendi has won nine of 23 matches and sits tenth, and Petkim Spor is fourteenth with six wins in 22 games.
Last season, Istanbul Fenerbahce claimed the Turkish championship, defeating Istanbul Beşiktaş 4-1 in the final series.
TOFAŞ suffered a home defeat on Saturday, falling 93-88 to Yukatel Merkezefendi Belediyesi Basket in a tightly contested Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi matchup. The loss stings for TOFAŞ, who were looking to solidify their position in the league standings. The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening tip, with TOFAŞ taking a narrow 24-21 lead after the first quarter. Merkezefendi found their rhythm offensively in the second, entering halftime with a 48-47 advantage. The third quarter saw continued trading of baskets, ending in a 65-65 tie. In a decisive final period, Merkezefendi pulled away, fueled by strong performances from Alen Omič and Kristers Zoriks. Omič and Zoriks each finished with a team-high 16 points, leading their squad to victory. Hugo Besson led all scorers with 24 points for TOFAŞ, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Merkezefendi’s balanced attack. Zoriks’ all-around performance included 5 rebounds and 1 steal, contributing significantly to Merkezefendi’s success. The win improves Merkezefendi’s record to nine wins in 23 games, while TOFAŞ drops to a disappointing defeat at home. Elsewhere in the league on Saturday, Anadolu Efes is set to face Bahcesehir Koleji, and Fenerbahce will host Esenler Erokspor on Sunday, alongside Petkim Spor’s matchup against Bursaspor. Fenerbahce currently leads the league with a 20-2 record.
