As assistant coach he took part in the winning of the first title of European Champions Cup (the predecessor of today's EuroLeague) with Cibona in Athens Peace and Friendship Stadium against Real Madrid.

The following season, (1985–86) as head coach of Cibona both in domestic and European competitions and with the roster weakened by the loss of Andro Knego in Cajamadrid, but refreshed with newcomer Dražen Petrović, won the Yugoslav Cup and became back to back European champion in Budapest against the Soviet champions Žalgiris.

In the summer of 1990, Pavličević accepted the offer from back-to-back European champions of Pop 84 the former Jugoplastika to lead the team following the exodus of Dino Rađa (il Messaggero Roma), Duško Ivanović (Girona) and Goran Sobin (Aris).

Božidar Maljković led Barcelona, which is connected to Split by winning the previous two league titles in Europe.

In 1992–93 with the arrival of Nikos Galis, Stojan Vranković, Arijan Komazec and Tiit Sokk the team won only the Greek Cup against Aris.

The national team progressed significantly, and held the largest seminar for coaches in the history of Japan with over 900 participants.