Edmonton make statement after unbeaten Day 1 of FIBA 3x3 World Tour Chengdu Masters

CHENGDU (China) – Edmonton (CAN) stole the show by knocking off world No.1 Novi Sad (SRB) during a thrilling Day 1 of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Chengdu Masters.

New kid on the block Edmonton have been impressive this season highlighted by claiming the Nanjing Challenger.

In their Masters debut, a Jermaine Bucknor-led Edmonton fought off a tough challenge from locals Chengdu with a 21-17 opening victory.

Bucknor had 12 points, including three makes from beyond the arc, and one beautiful dime.

 The Canadians went a step better with a dramatic 17-16 victory over mighty Novi Sad with Bucknor once again starring with an equal game high 7 points. A late lefty jumper by Jordan Jensen-Whyte was enough for Edmonton to finish unbeaten on Day 1.

Novi Sad still qualified having comfortably beaten Chengdu (CHN) in their earlier game.

In Pool B, No.7 seed Ljubljana (SLO) rediscovered their best with an upset 20-18 victory over defending Chengdu Masters champions Liman (SRB), who are missing both Stefan Stojacic aka 'Mr Robot' and Aleksandar Ratkov. Jasmin Hercegovac proved why he is the ‘Ice Man’ with a downtown dagger as the Slovenians won their second straight game after earlier beating Auckland (NZL).

No.6 seed Gagarin (RUS) topped Pool C after easily beating Wst Melbourne(AUS) and then outlasting Doha Masters champion Riga Ghetto (LAT) in an 18-16 thriller. Rising star Alexander Zuev was sensational against the Latvians with 7 points, while Doha Masters MVP Karlis Lasmanis was held to just 1 point but Riga still progressed to the quarter-finals. 

Last but not least, Pool D effectively came down to the final game of Day 1 between Princeton (USA) and Amsterdam (NED). Robbie Hummel hit a couple of clutch twos to inspire the Americans to a 21-15 victory. The Dutch qualifed only by 1 point over Dnipro, who performed well after qualifying into the main draw.

It was upset o'clock at the Chengdu Masters: each one of the top 5 seeds lost a game on Day 1!

Quarter-Finals
Edmonton (CAN) v Riga Ghetto (LAT)
Princeton (USA) v Liman (SRB)
Ljubljana (SLO) v Amsterdam (NED)
Gagarin (RUS) v Novi Sad (SRB)

Top Scorers
1. Jermaine Bucknor (Edmonton, CAN) 19 pts
2. Mihailo Vasic (Liman, SRB) 17 pts
3. Dimeo van den Horst (Amsterdam, NED) 16 pts
4. Edgars Krumins (Riga Ghetto, LAT) 15 pts
5. Filip Kaludjerovic (Chengdu, CHN) 14 pts
- Karl Noyer (Auckland, NZL) 14 pts

In the shoot-out contest, Dejan Majstorovic (Novi Sad), Peng Yan (Liman), Steve Sir (Edmonton) and Dwayne Lathan (Lufeng) advanced to the final.

FIBA