San Juan set for back-to-back wins at FIBA 3x3 Turismo San Juan Challenger 2023
SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - Home team San Juan (PUR) will look to repeat their recent success as they look to make it two in a row at the FIBA 3x3 San Juan challenger on October 14 - 15.
THE FAVORITES
Most recently coming away with the win at the Colorado Challenger last week, San Juan are primed to bask in their form. The explosive Luis Cuascut will be joined once again by scoring machine Antonio Ralat alongside offensive forces in Adrian Ocasio and Leandro Allende. The side relied on incredible defensive efforts from Cuascut and incisive plays by Ralat. They have shown out this season and with victories finally coming in, they’ll look to have a strong final phase of the year.
Top-seeded Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) are flying high as well, coming off a win at the Hongcheon Challenger. They’ll be led by Aurelijus Pukelis who has been on fire all season, dominating the paint. Sarunas Vingelis, Modeste Kumpys and Paulius Belavicius will also be in action as they have their sights set on making their way to the Hong Kong Masters.
Lausanne Sport LS (SUI) will take to court as well after bowing out in the Semi-Finals in Colorado. They will be with Dusan Bulut once again after he returned to the circuit at the Lublin challenger. They’ll look to make a statement after how their last two outings have been, but with Westher Molteni, Marco Lehmann and and Gilles Martin finishing up the star-studded squad, they’re already looking like the favorites to come away victorious.
THE FIELD
Paris (FRA) led by Franck Seguela and Jules Rambaut are one to watch. They’ll be joined by Alexandra Aygalenq and Vincent Fauche and will bring their ingenuity as they have for the last few events. Clinical as ever, Paris will offer stiff competition as they hope to make their place in the upcoming Masters in Hong Kong.
Zahir Carrington and Henry Caruso have been stellar for Princeton (USA) as they’ll take to court in Puerto Rico alongside Jerome Desrosiers and Isaiah Wilkerson. An explosive team with clutch ability, you can never count out Princeton.
The rising duo of Vladimir Trajkovic and Goran Vidovic have made waves this season for Hangzhou (CHN) and they’ll will be looking to continue on that as they’ll hope to book their place for the Masters on home soil. Dusan Samardzic and Milos Supica will also be in action as Hangzhou might be the dark horses to come out as victors in San Juan.
POOLS
Pool A: Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU), Warsaw Lotto (POL), Kaunas VDU (LTU)
Pool B: San Juan (PUR), Jeddah (KSA), Calabasas (USA)/Santo Domingo (DOM)/Buenos Aires Obras Bask (ARG)
Pool C: Lausanne Sport LS (SUI), Hangzhou (CHN), Ermont SENEF (FRA)/St. Louis (USA)/Atlanta (USA)
Pool D: Paris (FRA), Princeton (USA), Lidingö City Ultimate (SWE)
What's at stake
The top 3 teams in San Juan will qualify for the Hong Kong Masters on November 25 - 26.
How to watch
The two-day extravaganza is on October 14 - 15 and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube and Facebook pages.