DOMESTIC LEAGUES

Power forward Milan Macvan led Partizan to victory in the deciding third game of the finals with 19 points and eight rebounds

Partizan remained the kings of Serbian basketball on Friday night by beating Belgrade rivals Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) 86-82.

The triumph sealed a 3-1 triumph in the A League play-off finals.

Milan Macvan had 19 points and eight rebounds to lead Vlade Jovanovic's team to victory.

Crvena Zvezda came oh so close to forcing a deciding fifth game.

Petar Popovic, who had 22 points, scored in the last minute for the hosts to tie the game at 80-80.

Crvena Zvezda then fouled Miroslav Raduljica, and the big center made them pay by sinking both free-throws.

A basket by Macvan and two free-throws by Vladimir Lucic sealed the victory for Partizan, who clinched their 11th consecutive domestic title.

Partizan had finished first in the A League Stage Two with 12 wins from their 14 games ahead of Radnicki, with Crvena Zvezda third.

Crvena Zvezda then upset Radnicki 2-1 in the play-off semi-finals to reach the title series.

Partizan, after overcoming Vojvodina 2-0 in their play-off clash, won Game 1 of the finals, 92-83, only for Crvena Zvezda to hit back and level the series with a 68-56 victory in Game 2.

Partizan again, playing Game 3 at home, went back on top 2-1 in the series with a 78-72 triumph.

In Game 4, Jovanovic's side held its nerve.

They went to the line often and took advantage, hitting 25 of 28 attempts.