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
- Ub Huishan NE (SRB)
- Antwerp TOPdesk (BEL)
- Vienna (AUT)
- Sansar MMC Energy (MGL)
- Amsterdam HiPRO (NED)
- Partizan (SRB)
- Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)
- Utsunomiya BREX EXE (JPN)
- Yokohama BeefmanEXE (JPN)
- Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL)
- Sydney CLBEXE (AUS)
- Rosedale SwishEXE (NZL)
The FIBA 3×3 World Tour is back (May 20-21) with the Manila Masters.
FIBA Media Release
Photo Credit: FIBA
