AMSTERDAM (Netherlands) – Ub Huishan NE (SRB) revel in top form as they defeat Liman (SRB) 22 – 19 to win FIBA 3×3 World Tour Amsterdam on October 13.
Making it a third stop win this season the Serbian Juggernauts were firing on all cylinders in Amsterdam. They bounced back in resounding fashion after an early setback in pool play to Utrecht, going on a hot streak on their way to the final where they faced Liman in an all-Serbian battle.
It was a grinding start to the affair with both teams imposing their physicality early. Kojic continued to run the offense for Liman as they got the scoring going. Dejan Majstorovic struck back for Ub to keep the score close.
Strahinja Stojacic proved to be the engine for his side as he put in key defensive efforts to match Liman’s toughness. Both teams utilized their advantages to add to the scoring tally with Liman moving the ball around and finding outside shots while Ub worked on the mismatches they created through the presence of Nenad Nerandzic.
Liman held a position in the drivers seat for the majority of the game. However, timely twos from Marko Brankovic and Stojacic gave Ub a narrow 16 – 15 lead with over 2 minutes to go. Both teams traded big buckets, with just a point separating the sides. With time ticking down, and scores at 20 – 19 to Ub, World Number One Strahinja Stojacic would come up clutch as he delivered the final blow as Ub would take home a 22 – 19 victory.
Whilst a collective effort was key to their success in Amsterdam, Ub’s Nenad Nerandzic was a crucial cog. Immense in the paint on both ends, the Serbian big man led his side in scoring with 37 points while leading the entire tournament in Player Value with 55.3. He would earn himself MVP honors.
In the individual contests, Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy’s (MGL) Steve Sir won the MVB BOUW BV shoot-out contest while Vadim “Miller” Poddubchenko won the NXT LEVEL dunk contest.
STANDINGS
1. Ub Huishan NE (SRB)
2. Liman (SRB)
3. Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)
4. Riffa (BAH)
5. Amsterdam (NED)
6. Utrecht (NED)
7. Chongming (CHN)
8. Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL)
9. Hangzhou (CHN)
10. Dusseldorf LFDY (GER)
11. Ljubljana (SLO)
12. Paris (FRA)
The 3×3 World Tour returns next weekend in Macau (October 19-20).
