Ub dominate, Jimmer delivers on day of FIBA 3x3 World Tour Opener Utsunomiya 2024

UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - Reigning champions Ub Huishan NE (SRB) continue their winning ways while Jimmer Fredette leads Miami (USA) to a 2-0 Day 1 of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Opener in Utsunomiya Japan 2024.

UB AND MIAMI START STRONG

The Serbian juggernauts were riding fast from the start as they started off their 2024 World Tour campaign with a dominant 21-10 victory. MVP Strahinja Stojacic led his side with 7 points while Nemanja Barac and Dejan Majstorovic both put up 6 each. 

 

It was the high-intensity Lausanne next who put up a strong fight but to no avail as Ub got the 21-17 win. This time the duo of Barac and the Maestro was key as they combined for 14 to finish their day unbeaten.

Miami picked up off their successful 2023 season with an efficient day 1 of the new campaign. It was a gritty 14-9 victory against San Juan in the opening game heralded by a collective defensive effort.

It was the Jimmer show in their next game who put up 11 points in a 22-19 thriller against Raudondvaris Hoptrans along with the winning two.

 

AMSTERDAM GET THE JOB DONE

Amsterdam had a slow start to proceedings, a stuttering 21-19 victory thanks to two clutch free throws by Worthy De Jong to seal the result. Him and Arvin Slagter put up 6 each while the newly joined Bryan Alberts led with 7.

They followed it up with a 21-9 drubbing against a Partizan side who played with 3 throughout the day. 

Worthy De Jong led in scoring with 8 to finish their day with back to back wins.

 

PARTIZAN DISAPPOINT

Granted the man disadvantage played a huge factor, but Partizan has a rough day in the office in Utsunomiya. A difficult 21-9 loss to Amsterdam followed by a narrow 21-19 loss to home side Utsunomiya Brex EXE ended their run early. 

The team will look to bounce back and regroup after a tough run of form in the World Tour Opener.

RIFFA FIND THEIR RHYTHM

The side from Bahrain were a force on Day 1. Led by their Belgian contingent, they got off to a nail-biting start against a contending Vienna side. The game went down to the wire where Dennis Donkor called game with a huge two, taking home the 19-18 victory. He led his side in scoring with 9 points.

 

Donkor followed it up with yet another strong showing against Saitama before Thibaut Vervoort ended proceedings with a two. They got the handy 22-14 result to book their spot in the Quarter-Finals.

QUARTER-FINALS

Ub Huishan NE (SRB) v Utsunomiya Brex EXE (JPN)

Riffa (BRN) v San Juan Church’s (PUR)

Miami (USA) v Vienna (AUT)

Amsterdam (NED) v Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL)

DAY 2

The World Tour Opener comes to a close tomorrow as we find out who starts their campaign on a high. Tune in LIVE tomorrow to the action!