Everything you need to know about FIBA 3x3 World Tour Cebu Masters 2023

CEBU (Philippines) - The World Tour returns to hoops crazy Philippines as excitement is at fever pitch for the FIBA 3x3 Cebu Masters 2023 on September 23-24.

Here is all the important information you need before the 10th Masters of 2023.

Where can I watch the Cebu Masters?

The action runs from September 23-24, and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube, and Sina Weibo pages.

Who is competing in Cebu?

This loaded draw has a total of 14 squads: Ub Huishan NE, Amsterdam HiPRO, Vienna, Miami, Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy, Futian, Paris, Sansar MMC Energy, Wuxi, San Juan, Manila Chooks, Lubao MCFASolver, Auckland, Taichung Hong Jia

What are the pools?

 

Who are the favorites?

For the first time, top seeds Ub Huishan NE (SRB) arrive in Cebu having missed last year's first-ever event in the popular city. 

They have, of course, dominated 2023 but surprisingly lost in the quarter-finals in Lausanne and Debrecen. 

But these Serb superstars are never down for long and they snapped a mini-slump with victory at the Samobor Challenger. 

Ub will bring their best line-up to the Philippines, a country they have fond memories having won the Manila Masters back-to-back. 

Don't just hand the title to them though, because this field is deeper than a Drake lyric.

 

No.2 seeds Amsterdam HiPRO (NED) want to end a Masters drought extending two-and-a-half years, while No.3 seeds Vienna (AUT) are titleless this season but high-flyer Filip Kramer is determined for a dub.

So too much-hyped Miami (USA), who double as Team USA but haven't been quite able to put it together.

They'll  face an early test against consistent Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL), who are getting close but still yet to taste the ultimate success on the World Tour.

Paris (FRA) and San Juan (PUR) have legit 3x3 stars - Franck Seguela and Antonio Ralat, who can win games almost single-handedly. 

There are a whole bunch of Asian teams aiming to make a statement, including Futian (CHN), Wuxi (CHN) and Sansar MMC Energy (MGL). 

You want a dark horse? We've got one for you.

It just has to be fan favorites Manila Chooks (PHI) led by excitement machine Mac Tallo, whose popularity will only keep growing to an extent that it won't be surprising if he's elected president of the Philippines by the end of the event. 

 

Who are the players to watch?

This is longer than your chore list. We'll start with 'Doctor Strange' after Strahinja Stojacic collected yet another MVP award in Samobor. 

His Ub teammates aren't too shabby themselves, especially lethal lefty Marko Brankovic whose IQ on the half-court is off the charts. 

You just know Dutch Master Worthy de Jong is going to throw down many sick dunks, leaving the local fans breathless from all the screaming they'll do every time he takes flight. 

There are going to be a lot of throwback jerseys in the crowd and they'll have the name Fredette scribbled on the back as 'Jimmer Mania' sweeps Cebu. 

 

Former NBA player Fredette will be engaged in an early shootout contest against legendary Steve Sir, who should just never be left open under any circumstances. 

Talk about heat checks and we just have to mention Anand Ariunbold, who is also known as 'The Archer' for good reason.

While Dimeo van der Horst always soars to another level in the Philippines. He was unconscious in Manila, as he led Futian to the final after splashing bucket after bucket in a scoring binge for the ages. 

FIBA