ABU DHABI (UAE) - Amsterdam deliver heroics late on to finish perfect on Day 1 of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Abu Dhabi on October 25.
TEAMS
AMSTERDAM (NED)
It hasn’t been a perfect season for the Dutch so far, but with the Final in Manama looming large, Amsterdam need to build momentum and they have done just that in Abu Dhabi so far.
They started off with a comfortable 18 - 10 victory against Seef, Maarten Bouwknecht leading the charge with 6 points and crucial dimes.
They then faced off against Lugano, a side coming off a historic masters win in Macau. It was a back-and-forth battle, both sides notching points at a consistent pace. Bouwknecht had been the offensive force yet again with a 10-point effort in regulation. Worthy de Jong was the one who scored a late point to tie things up and take the game to Overtime.
With pressure weighing down, de Jong came through, drilling a clutch two-pointer to seal the victory in favor of the Dutch, 21 - 20. It would be a huge result for Amsterdam as they head into knockout action tomorrow.
Ub, Miami and the Skyliners also go unbeaten on the day to make their way to the knockout rounds unscathed.
PLAYERS
STEFAN KOJIC (Skyliners)
Chef Koja was cooking all day in Abu Dhabi.
The Skyliners came out of the Qualifying Draw after a thrilling game against Raudondvaris. The German side battled back late and clutched up thanks to a Kojic dagger. In pool action, he was lights-out, putting up 7 points against Toulouse in a 20 - 19 victory before following it up with a 9-point effort in a 21 - 17 result in their favor.
Clutch and consistent was Chef Koja’s motto all day as he looks to carry forward his momentum into the knockout rounds tomorrow.
QUARTER-FINAL MATCHUPS
Ub (SRB) v Lugano (SUI)
Skyliners (GER) v Kanazawa (JPN)
Miami (USA) v Toulouse (FRA)
Amsterdam (NED) v Baskets Bonn (GER)
DAY 2
The top spot is on the line as we find out who earns the W in Abu Dhabi. Catch it all LIVE on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel.