Nanjing Challenger

Date: April 21-22

Prize Money: 20k USD

Road to World Tour: Qualifies 2 teams to Chengdu Masters

Riga (LAT) won the Nanjing 3x3 Challenger after defeating Moscow Inanomo (RUS) in the final in Nanjing, China on April 21-22, 2018.

Riga had a perfect run in the old capital of China, winning all 5 games before the 10-minute limit, by an average of more than 8 points.

Their campaign ended the same it started: with a convincing win (21-12 in the final) against Moscow Inanomo, who went all the way from the qualifying draw to the final, with wins against the number 13 (Ulaanbaatar, MGL) and the number 1 team in the world (Novi Sad, SRB).

Both Riga stars Karlis Lasmanis and Nauris Miezis scored 28 points in 5 games but it was the latter, who was voted MVP of the tournament.

Riga confirmed their outstanding start in 2018: with the exception of the Goyang Challenger last week (where they finished 4th), they won 5 titles in 5 tournaments so far this year.

Last season Riga won 3 Challengers but have yet to reach the title game of a World Tour event.

The Nanjing 3x3 Challenger is a direct qualifier to the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Chengdu Masters. The Latvian team however already had secured a spot in China thanks to their FIBA 3x3 Team Ranking. One good reason to come to Nanjing though: they took home 10,000 USD in prize money.

The fact Riga had already qualified means both Moscow Inanomo and third-place Ulaanbaatar will join them in Chengdu on September 29-30, 2018.

Both teams are relatively new on the professional circuit. Moscow will make their World Tour debut this year while Ulaanbaatar celebrated their only previous World Tour appearance with a semi-final finish at the Utsunomiya Masters last year.

The 4 Ulaanbaatar players now switch their attention to national team 3x3 basketball. They will try to defend Mongolia’s title at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China on April 27-May 1.

A total of 16 teams from 9 different countries played in Nanjing, including 6 of the Top 20 teams in the world: Novi Sad (SRB, #1), Piran (SLO, #4), Riga (LAT, #6), Ulaanbaatar (MGL, #13), Humpolec Bernard (#CZE, 16) and Split Statist (CRO, #18).

Final standings
1 Riga (LAT)
2 Moscow Inanomo (RUS)
3 Ulaanbaatar (MGL)
4 Split Statist (CRO)
5 Novi Sad (SRB)

View full standings