CHENGDU (China) - The 10th anniversary of 3x3 in fan favorite Chengdu was celebrated in style after an epic second stop on this season's FIBA 3x3 World Tour, where Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) claimed the title.
Let's look back at the World Tour Chengdu played on May 3-4.
Pukelis-Dziaugys lead lethal Lithuanians to glory
We saw glimpses of big fella Aurelijus Pukelis' dominance at the Utsunomiya Opener, where he put up the highest scoring average. He continued his hot form in Chengdu to top the scoring with 38 points, including the title-sealing bucket after grabbing a huge offensive rebound over two Amsterdam RADOBANK (NED) players for the putback.
He didn't have to do it alone because his Paris Olympic bronze medal sidekick Evaldas Dziaugys played a terrific all-round game to finish No.1 in player-value (46.3) and win his first World Tour MVP. 'Evil Knievel' was a daredevil throughout in Raudondvaris Hoptrans' unbeaten run. They look a different team when Dziaugys, who has at times previously been erratic on the big stage, is on song as Raudondvaris showed in Chengdu.
They have all the ingredients to be the very best team in the world, with their experience and mental toughness lifting them twice in OT, while Raudondvaris also beat top two seeds Ub (SRB) and Amsterdam before the time limit.
The lethal Lithuanians are no longer underrated. With an early season dub under their belt, Raudondvaris is eying the crown.
Agony again for plucky Amsterdam
Once again, Amsterdam RABOBANK finished as the runner-up. After falling short to Miami (USA) at the Utsunomiya Opener, the Dutch Masters were unable to go one better in Chengdu. It's an unusual feeling for them having taken out the big trophies in 2024, including the showpiece World Tour Final.
But you just have to admire their fight with Amsterdam pushed to the limit in all five games. They suffered a Day One defeat to Chongming (CHN) before overcoming London (USA) and Hangzhou (CHN) in the knockouts in gutsy performances.
Superstar Worthy de Jong was again doing crazy things, including his own Michael Jordan moment when he iced the semi-final by nailing a free-throw with his eyes closed! But he wasn't just a one-man show with Bryan Alberts and Maarten Bouwknecht stepping up big with huge buckets throughout.
Twice beaten in finals, you just know Amsterdam will be fired up at their home stop coming up on May 17-18.
Ub are going backwards
No.1 Ub came into the season with a point to prove after their crown was stolen in 2024. It hasn't gone to script so far after exiting in the quarters on the back of a semi-final showing in Utsunomiya.
Ub arrived at a hunting happy ground and determined to defend their crown. Instead, the top seed were only able to win one of three games after losses to Hangzhou and eventual champ Raudondvaris Hoptrans.
They did not have legendary Dejan Majstorovic in Chengdu, but still boasted a squad brimming with stars. It hasn't quite come together so far in 2025 and we've yet to see the very best of GOAT Strahinja Stojacic, whose radar was off from deep.
But 'Doctor Strange' did unleash a dunk of the year contender when he threw down a nasty reverse slam to suggest his GOAT form isn't far off.
Giessmann lives up to the hype
Baskets Bonn (GER) went winless in Chengdu. But their young star Fabian Giessmann delivered perhaps the most eye-catching performance when he played bully ball against legendary Ub.
Announcing himself as the next big thing in 3x3, the 19-year-old destroyed Ub with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 highlights and 3 monster blocks, including putting Stojacic in a body bag.
Few players have ever embarrassed Ub quite like that and Giessmann wasn't done as he submitted 11 points and 8 rebounds against Hangzhou.
He didn't get enough support, but it was a rim-rattling, muscular performance from a teenager more than living up to the huge hype.
Chengdu celebrates milestone in style
The World Tour 2025 arrived for the first time in China and it was back to familiar surroundings in Chengdu, where the panda city celebrated its 10th season of hosting 3x3 events.
And this was the very best in its history, with heaving crowds at the Jiaozi Music Square creating an incredible atmosphere.
The World Tour will return to Asia with the World Tour Ulaanbaatar following a swing in Europe.
FIBA