Defending champs Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy star on Day One of FIBA 3x3World Tour Shanghai 2024

SHANGHAI (China) - Thrilling games and spectacular plays highlighted a gripping  Day One of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Shanghai as Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy's (MGL) title defense remained on track.  

Let's recap Day One of the ninth Masters of the World Tour season.

TITLE DEFENSE ON TRACK

Back where they famously broke through on the World Tour, Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy's (MGL) title defense started well after a perfect Day One. 

They took advantage of a three man Vienna (AUT), who were without star Nico Kaltenbrunner due to a knee injury. Delgernyam Davaasambuu played bully ball against a tiring Vienna, who earlier had grittily overcome Plunge (LTU). 

The Mongolians were then pushed to the limit by Plunge also playing without a sub in a see-saw contest that went down to the wire.

With scores level at 20 apiece, much like last year's final, Steve Sir decided to put matters into his own hands and he won the game at the line to continue Ulaanbaatar's love affair in Shanghai. 

TOP SEED START STRONG

Ub Huishan NE (SRB) have hit their famously high levels recently and are determined to go back-to-back on the World Tour after their triumph in Debrecen. 

The Serbs clearly enjoyed returning to China, where they earlier in the season won in Chengdu. Sometimes Ub start sluggishly, but they were flowing against dangerous Chongming (CHN). 

It was a bruising clash, literally with Nemanja Barac and Nauris Miezis clashing heads and spilling blood.

Both teams were leaving it on the floor, but Ub's beautiful passing was on show as they cruised to a 22-11 win.  Big fella Nenad Nerandzic showed off his inside-outside game and also his dubious acting skills. 

Ub had a far tougher test against Princeton (USA) in an instant classic. Chengdu MVP Stefan Stojacic hit a clutch late bucket from deep before Damon Huffman missed the two-point Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beater.  

Ub once again are in the quarters, where they play rival Liman (SRB). 

THE THRILLER 

The Pool C blockbuster between Paris (FRA) and Liman lived up to the hype. It was a high-quality, intense battle between star-studded teams trading plays. 

Superstar Franck Seguela made the rim rattle on a vicious alley-oop, but opposite number Stefan Kojic was cookin' as this game predictably went down to the wire. 

The game rested in the reliable hands of Olympic silver medalist Seguela, who hit the go-ahead bucket with a pretty finger roll as Paris held on. Seguela roared like he was back at La Concorde as France capped their perfect Day One having earlier beaten Wuxi WenLv (CHN). 

RIFFA MEAN BUSINESS

Riffa's (BRN) early season woes are in the rearview as they strive for a first title on this season's World Tour. 

Riffa had little trouble dispatching qualifier Belgrade (SRB), with Dennis Donkor menacing from deep while Caspar Augustijnen was a constant lob threat. 

They continued to roll against Lausanne (SUI), shooting the lights out to storm to an early lead. But the Swiss Maestros fought back and Riffa were in danger of letting this slip. 

Donkor came to the rescue by going bang, bang in the dying seconds as a steely Riffa clearly mean business. 

SHARPSHOOTERS

Enis Murati (Vienna) hit eight buckets to set the standard ahead of Sunday's Shootout Contest. Steve Sir (Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy), Jonas Foerts (Riffa) and Hugo Suhard (Paris) also advanced. 

QUARTER-FINALS

Ub Huishan NE vs. Liman
Riffa vs. Vienna
Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy vs. Lausanne
Paris vs. Princeton 

DAY 2

The action in Shanghai wraps up tomorrow as we find out who leaves China with the title. Tune in to the LIVE coverage of the finals!

FIBA