Antwerp TOPdesk continue hot streak on Day 1 at 3x3 World Tour Debrecen Masters

DEBRECEN (Hungary) - Antwerp TOPdesk (BEL) pick up where they left off in Lausanne as they go perfect on Day 1 of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Debrecen Masters on August 27.

THE TEAMS

After winning their second-ever Masters in Lausanne, Antwerp TOPdesk continued their run of form in Hungary. 

They started off with a dominant 21-11 victory against Tel-Aviv off the back of an 11-point display from Jonas Foerts. Bryan De Valck grabbed crucial rebounds, amassing 6 in the game. They went up against a gritty Riga side next. It was “The Menace” who caught fire this time as Dennis Donkor scored 13 points including the decisive two that handed them the 22-18 win and a perfect record on Day 1.

After failing to make it an incredible 7 Masters win in a row, Ub Huishan NE (SRB) unsurprisingly bounced back strong. They beat Hangzhou and Lausanne in two hard-fought games. World Number 1 Strahinja Stojacic was the offensive star, but was complimented as per usual by Dejan Majstorovic and Marko Brankovic. 

However, the story of the Day might just be Hangzhou (CHN) who came through from the Qualifying Draw all the way booking a Quarter-Final berth on Day 2. It was a strong performance against the Serbian Giants, but they just fell short 22-14 in their first game of Group Play, it was a stellar display from the duo of Goran Vidovic and Vladimir Trajkovic who had been the heart of the team from the jump, that caused the upset against home side runners-up from last week Lausanne 20-21.

Trajkovic scored 10 in the tie, but Vidovic would make headlines with his last-second Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beater to take them through to the Knockout Stages.

Miami (USA) also went undefeated after a gritty comeback win against Raudondvaris Hoptrans 19 - 21 with Jimmer Fredette scoring the Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beater for the win. They also went on to beat home side Debrecen 21 - 17. 

THE PLAYERS

Miami’s Jimmer Fredette was lethal on Day 1. He was instrumental in the side’s comeback win against Raudondvaris Hoptrans and their win against Debrecen. He was the top scorer on the day with 18 and second in player value with a score of 18.3.

Antwerp TOPdesk’s Dennis Donkor was on fire as well, going off for 13 points in the Dutch Belgian team’s win against Riga and was a key factor to them going perfect on Day 1. He finished the day second in scoring with 17. 

While Strahinja Stojacic would get most of the plaudits for his stellar performance, the influence of Marko Brankovic was immense for Ub Huishan NE. He finished the day third in Player Value with 17.4 as he orchestrated the flow for the Serbian juggernauts. 

QUARTER-FINALS

Ub Huishan NE (SRB) - Tel-Aviv (ISR)

Miami (USA) - Amsterdam HiPRO (NED)

Paris (FRA) - Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)

Antwerp TOPdesk (BEL) - Hangzhou (CHN)

STATS

- Jimmer Fredette finished as top scorer with 18 points and a Player Value score of 18.3.
- Strahinja Stojacic finished with 12 highlights.
- Riga’s Agnis Cavars grabbed the most rebounds, 15 of them while also finishing with the highest Player Value of 19.4.
- Antwerp TOPdesk only conceded 15 points on Day 1.
- Dejan Majstorovic dished out the most key assists with 6 over the two games.