FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2017 kicks off with Team Saskatoon's hometown heroics

SASKATOON (FIBA 3x3 World Tour)  – Hometown heroes Team Saskatoon started with a 2-0 record on Day 1 at the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Saskatoon Masters on July 15, 2017. The first stop on FIBA 3x3 World Tour opened up with a bang.

Team Saskatoon entered the court to thunderous applause in their hometown and they did not disappoint. In first game of Pool B, they faced Canadian rivals Team Winnipeg who showed some Top 5 plays. However, the foursome came through and newcomer Steve Sir made a big impact by scoring 7 of their 15 points in the 15-11 wins. Their second game of the Day 1, Saskatoon faced fellow Canadians Team Hamilton where they trailed in the early going but again the crowd helped them back to a 14-13 overtime win. Michael Linklater and crew brought their world class game to Saskatoon.

Day 1 had a few surprises: #10 seed Team Gurabo (PUR) surprised in Pool D by finishing first. Meanwhile Team Hamamatsu (JPN), last year's World Tour runner-ups were eliminated in Day 1 competition. Team Hamamatsu lost their chance at quarter-finals in an overtime thriller to Team Humpolec (CZE) in the final game of the day.

#3 seed Team Liman also impressed with 2-0 start with a red-hot Player of the Day Stefan Stojacic and high scorer Stefan Kojic.

To nobody's surprise, World Tour reigning champs Ljubljana remained undefeated beating Princeton (17-11) and Rio de Janeiro (15-11) and advancing to the quarter-finals. 

In the Shoot-out Contest Qualifier, 'Disco Domo' Jones (NY Harlem, USA), Stefan Stojacic (Liman, SRB), Sean Van Koughnett (Hamilton, CAN) and Roman Zachrla (Humpolec, CZE) earned their ticket to the final tomorrow.

In the Dunk Contest, no other than Saskatoon-native Michael Lieffers qualified for 2nd round of the dunk contest. He will compete against professional dunkers Justin 'Jus Fly' Darlington (CAN) and Sherman Su (CAN).

Schedule:

Ljublana (SLO, 1) vs. Humpolec (CZE, 5)

Liman (SRB,3) vs. Hamilton (CAN,12)

Saskatoon (CAN,2) vs. NY Harlem (USA,6)

Gurabo (PUR,10) vs. Princeton (USA,8)

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Wilson sponsor logo (Saskatoon 2017)
  • Tissot sponsor logo (Saskatoon 2017)