Ub Huishan NE win FIBA 3x3 World Tour Chengdu 2024

Mohamed Mandour

Ub Huishan NE (SRB) rediscovered their top form to outlast a gritty Lausanne (SUI) 20-19 in an epic final and win the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Chengdu 2024 on June 23.

After falling short at the first three World Tours this season, No.1 seed Ub were extra motivated but they had to do it the hard way after a Day One loss to Beijing (CHN).

As they've done countless times before, Ub found their best form when it mattered most to prove why they are the top ranked team in the world.

Ub had dominated Lausanne on the pro circuit over the past couple of years, but the Serbs were given a fierce examination in a tense final.

After a painful loss in the final at Ulaanbaatar, Lausanne's bid for a first World Tour title was dealt a blow with Carlos Martinez unavailable for the semi-final and final.

But the Swiss showed plenty of fighting spirit and they took an early lead with Malik Hluchoweckyj showing off his dazzling moves.

Westher Molteni had dominated all tournament and continued to pour in buckets as the Swiss sniffed their first ever World Tour title.

But Ub kept in touch and Dejan Majstorovic was on target from deep to level the scores at 10 apiece.

The teams traded buckets as the final was fittingly headed down to the wire. It was time for the superstars to step up and Marko Brankovic nailed a two to give Ub a 16-15 lead, but Lausanne wouldn't roll over.

It was a drama-filled ending before Stefan Stojacic sealed the result from the free-throw line as Ub's famous celebrations soon started.

Legendary Stojacic, who joined Ub this season, won the MVP after a dominant tournament and he finished second in player-value (40.3).

In the individual contests, Majstorovic (Ub Huishan NE) won the Shoot-Out Contest after tallying 14 points, while He Rui claimed the Maurice Lacroix Dunk Contest.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Ub Huishan NE (SRB)

2. Lausanne (SUI)

3. Princeton (USA)

4. Beijing (CHN)

5. Liman (SRB)

6. Riffa (BRN)

7. Chongming (CHN)

8. San Juan Church’s (PUR)

9. Partizan (SRB)

10. Adazi (LAT)

11. Wuxi WenLv (CHN)