Ub Huishan NE win FIBA 3x3 World Tour Utsunomiya Opener 2023
UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - No.1 seed Ub Huishan NE (SRB) defended their title in style to easily beat Antwerp TOPdesk (BEL) 21-11 and win the Utsunomiya Opener on April 30.
After dominating 2022, Ub entered the final as favorites but faced a determined Antwerp, who had shown outstanding defense and intensity to outlast Sansar MMC Energy (MGL) in a thrilling semi-final.
Through trademark chemistry and MVP Strahinja Stojacic in attack mode, Ub jumped out to an early 9-4 lead after legend Dejan Majstorovic hit an incredible off-balanced two.
Ub were on a roll with crisp passing to extend their lead to a sizeable 16-7 advantage. They could not be stopped and clinched the title with beautiful ball movement to prove they remain the team to beat in 2023.
Stojacic had a game-high 9 points and showed why he is the best player with a dominant tournament, where he finished top in player value (42.7), scoring (39), highlights (33) and key assists (10).
After being the top two teams in the season opener, Ub and Antwerp won tickets to the first-ever Marseille Masters on June 30-July 1.
In the individual contests, Vienna's (AUT) Matthias Linortner won the Maurice Lacroix Shoot-out Contest, while Joel Henry aka 'The Royal Guard' from Great Britain claimed the Ashikawa Bank Dunk Contest.
FINAL STANDINGS
1. Ub Huishan NE (SRB)
2. Antwerp TOPdesk (BEL)
3. Vienna (AUT)
4. Sansar MMC Energy (MGL)
5. Amsterdam HiPRO (NED)
6. Partizan (SRB)
7. Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)
8. Utsunomiya BREX EXE (JPN)
9. Yokohama BeefmanEXE (JPN)
10. Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL)
11. Sydney CLBEXE (AUS)
12. Rosedale SwishEXE (NZL)
The FIBA 3x3 World Tour is back (May 20-21) with the Manila Masters.
###
Exciting, urban and innovative, 3x3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court.
It was played successfully for the first time in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and since then has benefited from the launch of a yearly professional circuit for men and women (World Tour and Women’s Series respectively) and national-team competitions.
3x3 made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Wilson is the Global Ball Partner. Wilson is also the Apparel Partner, Maurice Lacroix the Official Timekeeper and Chooks-to-Go the Global Partner of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2022.
FIBA 3x3 events are played on Enlio floors with Wilson balls, Schelde backstops, Bodet shot-clocks and the Magic Sky canopy system.
For further information about 3x3, visit fiba3x3.basketball, FIBA 3x3 accounts on Douyin, Facebook, Instagram, Sina Weibo, Tencent, TikTok, Twitch, Twitter, Youku and YouTube or contact 3x3@fiba.basketball.
FIBA