Abu Dhabi (UAE) – Amsterdam (NED) get back into winning ways, defeating Miami (USA) 21 – 14 to win the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Abu Dhabi on October 27.
The Dutch were firing on all cylinders in Abu Dhabi as their offense, through a mix of paint presence and perimeter scoring, kept them a step ahead. Worthy de Jong and Bryan Alberts were major pieces while Jan Driessen and Arvin Slagter glued them together on both ends. They defeated Raudondvaris in the Semis to book a final spot against Miami who had been clutch as ever on their road to the final. The new-look American side fought their way through stiff competition to book the blockbuster final.
The two teams brought the pace early with Amsterdam starting the scoring with early paint points. Miami kept up with defensive stops and outside shooting through Trey Bardsley and Travis.
The on-fire Alberts made deep shots for Amsterdam to keep scores level at 7-7 with over 6 minutes to go. Both teams traded buckets, but it was Alberts whose lights out shooting came to the forefront yet again. He made two back-to-back twos to hand the Dutch a 13 – 9 lead. Miami would stay with the pressure though, as Travis would answer back, cutting into the Dutch lead with time winding down.
However, it was Alberts yet again who would shine out, making a dagger two before Arvin Slagter followed with another. Driessen would be the one to call game as his putback slam would seal the 21 – 14 victory for Amsterdam as they’d notch their second stop win of the season.
Worthy de Jong put on yet another clinic for the Dutch side as he led his side in scoring with 37 and notched a team-high player value of 45.5. His all-round splendid showing earned him MVP honors for the event.
In the individual contests, Ub’s (SRB) Dejan Majstorovic won the Abu Dhabi Municipality shootout contest while David Carlos won the Maurice Lacroix dunk contest.
