Ljubljana win FIBA 3x3 World Tour Saskatoon Masters 2017
SASKATOON (FIBA 3x3 WORLD TOUR 2017) - FIBA 3x3 World Tour reigning champions Ljubljana (SLO) won the first Masters of the World Tour season and clinched their ticket to the Bloomage Beijing Final after besting Team Saskatoon (21-14) on their home turf in the title game on July 15-16.
The two-time World Tour winners were undefeated in the 'Paris of the Prairies' and in the final broke the heart of the spectators, who came in numbers to support Team Saskatoon.
Tomo Cajic had a game-high 8 points in the title game, topped the scoring list and was named MVP of the tournament. His teammate Jasmin Hercegovac also contributed 8 points while Blaz 'Birdman' Cresnar added 3 and Ales Kunc scored 2.
Team Saskatoon captain Michael Linklater netted a team-high 6 points in the losing effort.
In the individual contests, Liman (SRB) star Stefan Stojacic dominated the Shoot-Out Contest while Justin Darlington (CAN) delivered his signature cartwheel jam to win the Dunk Contest.
The second Masters of the season will be staged in Utsunomiya, Japan on July 29-30 and feature Ljubljana (SLO) and Liman (SRB) again besides the World's Number 1 team Novi Sad Al Wahda (UAE).
FINAL STANDINGS
1. Ljubljana (SLO)
2. Saskatoon (CAN)
3. Gurabo (PUR)
4. Hamilton (CAN)
5. Liman (SRB)
6. NY Harlem (USA)
7. Princeton (USA)
8. Humpolec (CZE)
9. Hamamatsu (JPN)
10. Montreal (CAN)
11. Rio de Janeiro (BRA)
12. Winnipeg (CAN)
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ABOUT FIBA 3x3
Exciting, urban and innovative, 3x3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court.
It was played successfully for the first time in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and since then has benefited from the launch of a yearly city-based FIBA 3x3 World Tour (www.fiba.basketball/3x3worldtour) and national-team FIBA 3x3 World Cup.
On June 9 2017, 3x3 was added to the Olympic Program, starting from the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Nike is FIBA 3x3's Founding Partner.
FIBA 3x3 events are played on Sport Court's floors with Schelde backstops and benefit from Wilson's innovative and specially-made ball for 3x3.
For further information about 3x3, visit fiba3x3.basketball, FIBA 3x3 accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube or contact 3x3@fiba.com.