31 Jul 2016
UTSUNOMIYA (2016 FIBA 3x3 World Tour) – The reigning World Tour champions Novi Sad Al Wahda (UAE) won the 2016 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Utsunomiya Masters - the second of seven Masters - after a one-sided 21-13 final against Piran (SLO) on 30-31 July.
The two-time winners become the second team to book their ticket to the World Tour Final in Abu Dhabi on 27-28 October, after Caguas (PUR) clinched their spot at the Mexico City Masters.
The number one 3x3 player in the world Dusan Domovic Bulut topped all scorers in the final with 8 points, including the game-winning free throw. Sharpshooter Dejan Majstorovic added 6 while big man Marko Savic contributed 5 and Marko Zdero had 2.
24-year-old Anze Srebovt led Piran with 5 points in the losing effort, which started on a 14-1 run for Novi Sad Al Wahda.
It was the perfect weekend for Bulut, who was named MVP, topped the scoring charts and even won the Shoot-Out Contest.
Canadian sensation Jordan Kilganon stunned the massive Japanese crowd - brought together in the scenic location of the Futaarayama shrine - with his signature scorpion dunk at the Iris Dunk Contest.
The third Masters of the season will be staged in Prague, Czech Republic on 6-7 August 2016 and feature the same teams that finished 1-2-3 in Utsunomiya and more World Tour powerhouses like Saskatoon (CAN).
Final Standings of the 2016 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Utsunomiya Masters:
1. Novi Sad Al Wahda (UAE)
2. Piran (SLO)
3. Ljubljana (SLO)
4. St Petersburg (RUS)
5. Malaga (ESP)
6. Hamamatsu (JPN)
7. Okayama (JPN)
8. Doha (QAT)
9. Utsunomiya (JPN)
10. Taichung (TPE)
11. Al Gharafa (QAT)
12. Bandung (INA)
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ABOUT FIBA 3x3
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 benefitted from the launch of a yearly city-based FIBA 3x3 World Tour (www.fiba.basketball/3x3worldtour) and national-team world championships.
Nike is FIBA 3x3's Founding Partner.
FIBA 3x3 events are played on Sport Court's floors with Schelde backstops and benefit from Wilson's innovative and specially-made ball for 3x3.
For further information about 3x3, visit fiba.com/3x3, FIBA3x3 accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube or contact 3x3@fiba.com.