Zenit takes a 2-0 lead in the VTB League bronze medal series
Zenit defeated Lokomotiv Kuban in the second home game of the 2025/26 VTB United League bronze medal series. The matchup against the Krasnodar side took place at CSC Arena and ended in a 64:61 victory for the Blue-White-Sky Blues. Zenit now leads the best-of-five series 2-0.
Zenit's starting lineup for today's game featured Andre Roberson, Trent Frazier, Sergey Karasev, Andrey Martiuk, and Georgy Zhbanov. As in the previous game two days earlier, Johnny Juzang, Xavier Moon, and Pavel Zemskiy were unavailable.
The visitors looked more confident early on. Lokomotiv Kuban quickly built an 8-2 lead, prompting Zenit head coach Rostislav Vergun to call the first timeout of the game. The adjustments paid off, as Zenit began to find its rhythm offensively. While Uzinskiy knocked down a three-pointer and Bako and Šamanić scored on dunks, Emchenko and Zhbanov contributed from mid-range. However, the visitors maintained their offensive pace and defensive intensity, protecting their advantage. A buzzer-beating three-pointer by Jeremiah Martin gave Lokomotiv Kuban a 20-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw Zenit playing catch-up. An and-one play by Makar Konovalov extended Loko’s lead into double digits, but the hosts responded in time. Zhbanov, Karasev, and Martiuk converted key two-point attempts to keep Zenit within striking distance. The game was highly physical, with both teams applying constant pressure. Late in the period, Zenit closed the gap to a single possession. Nearly every Zenit player scored in the first half, with the exception of Andrey Vorontsevich and Igor Volkhin, who had played only six seconds at that point. For the visitors, Patrick Miller stood out with repeated drives to the basket. At halftime, Lokomotiv Kuban led 35-33.
Georgy Zhbanov, who had already helped cut the deficit before the break, opened the second half with a successful drive and quickly added two more points. A putback by Roberson and a dunk from Bako gave Zenit its first lead of the game. Lokomotiv Kuban head coach Tomislav Tomović responded with a timely timeout that slowed the hosts' momentum. The entire third quarter became a back-and-forth battle, with the lead changing hands almost every possession. Both teams were efficient from the free-throw line, controlled the boards well, and consistently scored in the paint. Heading into the final quarter, the scoreboard showed 51-50 in favor of Lokomotiv Kuban.
The fourth quarter was not particularly high-scoring. Offensive execution suffered, while every inch of the court became a battleground. For most of the period, Lokomotiv Kuban remained in front, with the lead fluctuating between one and five points. However, when the game reached its decisive moments, Zenit delivered. Key baskets from Roberson and Frazier effectively determined the outcome. In the closing seconds, the Saint Petersburg side showed greater composure and secured the victory. The final score was 64:61, giving Zenit a 2-0 lead in the race to three wins.
Zenit's top performers: Georgy Zhbanov (15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists), Andrey Martyuk (12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block).
The bronze medal series now moves to Krasnodar. Game 3 against Lokomotiv Kuban will be played on June 7 at Basket Hall, with tip-off scheduled for 16:00 Saint Petersburg time.
