Vieques 3x3 Challenger Preview: professional tour returns to Puerto Rico

VIEQUES (3x3 Challengers) - The FIBA 3x3 professional tour is back in Puerto Rico 5 years after the World Tour San Juan Masters with the Vieques 3x3 Challenger on June 30 - July 1, 2018.

16 teams from 8 different countries will compete this weekend at the Vieques 3x3 Challenger in Puerto Rico for 20k USD in prize money and two tickets to the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Mexico City Masters 2018. 

The number 2 team in the world Liman TeslaVoda (SRB) are the team to beat in Puerto Rico after winning 2 Challengers this season and reaching the final in another 2. The Hague (NED), that finished 2nd in Hang Zhou and local team Adjuntas (4th in Sydney) complete Pool A. 

Reigning World Tour winners Zemun (SRB) will try to win their first Challenger of the season after reaching the final only in the first event of the season in GoYang (when they lost to Saskatoon in the final). Marienbad (CZE) and Barceloneta (PUR) are their opponents in Pool B.

Pool C will be a tough battle between Kranj (SLO) and  Huaian Challenger winners Princeton (USA). These 2 will know their last opponent on Saturday at the conclusion of the qualifying draw, where NY Harlem (USA), Montreal (CAN) and Bayamon DCR (PUR) will battle it out.

Last but not least, Saskatoon (CAN) and Lausanne (SUI) were placed in Pool D. It will be the first time these 2 face each other despite both of them reaching the World Tour Final last year.  The third team of the pool will be one of three squads from Puerto Rico: Guayama, Manati and Naguabo, who will meet in Qualifying Draw B. 

Princeton (USA) are already qualified for the Mexico City Masters. If they reach the final, the next team in the final standings will get a spot in the event. 

Amsterdam Inoxdeals (NED), Piran (SLO), Ljubljana (SLO) and Ponce (PUR) are the other 4 teams who have already secured a ticket to Mexico.

FIBA