Liman emerge triumphant at FIBA 3x3 Tianjin Challenger 2024
TIANJIN (China) - Liman (SRB) enjoyed a flawless campaign to take out the FIBA 3x3 Tianjin Challenger 2024 on September 15.
TIANJIN (China) - Liman (SRB) enjoyed a flawless campaign to take out the FIBA 3x3 Tianjin Challenger 2024 on September 15.
Here's what happened in the 17th Challenger of the season.
The winner: Liman (SRB)
Liman had to do it the long way through the qualifying draw, but they didn't raise a sweat. Ok, it certainly wasn't as easy as that but Liman did finish with a 7 of 7 record to win their fourth title of the season.
After edging compatriot Partizan Meta Force (SRB) to get into the main draw, a balanced Liman enjoyed thrilling pool victories over Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL) and Hangzhou (CHN).
Mihailo Vasic played bully ball with a game-high 10 points as Liman had the better of Wuxi WenLv (CHN) in the quarters.
It set up a clash between Liman and Ub Huishan NE (SRB) as another classic was written in this epic rivalry.
Andreja Milutinovic produced the standout performance as Liman powered into the final against emerging Chongming (CHN), where Vasic again flexed his muscles and the Serbs celebrated another title.
🇷🇸 LIMAN ARE YOUR #3x3ChTianjin WINNERS! 🏆🥳#3x3Ch pic.twitter.com/JF0lDbPWKk
— 3x3 Basketball |FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) September 15, 2024
The runner-up: Chongming (CHN)
Chongming have loaded up with the additions of new sensation Cameron Forte and legendary Latvians Karlis Lasmanis and Nauris Miezis.
Forte and Lasmanis combined for 66 points to continue Chongming's stunning form after they claimed the FIBA 3x3 Xiong'an Challenger.
Chongming made a statement immediately with victory over powerhouse Amsterdam (NED) as Miezis had the shooter's touch with 10 points.
Chongming were challenged by Ermont SENEF (FRA) in the quarters, but prevailed after Forte played bully ball before Lasmanis took over in a tight semi-final against Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy.
They fell short of back-to-back titles, but Chongming loom as a force in the business end of the season.
The Final: Liman 21-Chongming 13
Liman entered as the favorite, but Cameron Forte had other ideas as he powered to the rack to get Chongming off to a fast start.
But Mihailo Vasic countered in an intriguing battle of strength in the paint before Andreja Milutinovic caught fire with three straight twos as Liman skipped clear.
Karlis Lasmanis shrugged off a quiet start with a two and Forte kept battling hard, but it was to no avail as Vasic showed off his shooting prowess with a couple of long bombs.
Milutinovic fittingly hit a dagger two as he walked off with the MVP to cap a dominant tournament for Liman.
The reward: Three tickets to the Manama Masters
Liman, Chongming and Ub Huishan NE qualified to the Manama Masters on November 1-2.
Final Standings:
1. Liman (SRB)
2. Chongming (CHN)
3.Ub Huishan NE (SRB)
4. Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL)
5. Vienna (AUT)
Top Scorers:
1. Cameron Forte (Chongming, CHN) 35 pts
2. Mihailo Vasic (Liman, SRB) 32 pts
3. Andreja Milutinovic (Liman, SRB) 32 pts
4. Karlis Lasmanis (Chongming, CHN) 31 pts
5. Herve Jean-Pierre(Ermont SENEF, FRA) 31 pts
Key Stats:
- Enis Murati was red hot to tally 15 points in Vienna's (AUT) Day One victory over Wuxi WenLv (CHN).
- Nemanja Barac had a triple-five of 5 points, 5 rebounds and 5 highlights in Ub's quarter-final win over Amsterdam.
- Dulguun Enkhbat had a monster performance of 11 points and 5 rebounds in Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy's win over Hangzhou (CHN) on Day One.
FIBA