Olympic-ready China triumphant at FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Langfang stop 2024

LANGFANG (China) - China go unbeaten at home, beating Maebashi Flowlish EXE (JPN) 21 - 15 in the final to win the FIBA 3x3 Langfang stop 2024 on July 12 - 13. 

The winner: China

China are in full flow ahead of the Paris Olympics as they return to their dominant ways in Langfang. 

It started with a closely fought battle against Japanese side Maebashi Flowlish EXE. ZhiTing Zhang and Mingling Chen put up 5 each while reigning W series MVP Lili Wang led with 9. A 21 - 18 win proved to be foretelling. 

It was yet another thriller next, this time against China U24 side. A 21 - 19 victory thanks to Zhang scoring 9 while Wang added 6. They took care of business against the Philippines next with Zhang and Chen combining for 19 with 11 and 8 respectively.

A 3-0 Pool phase took them straight to the Semi-Final where they were pitted against the China U24 side yet again. An easier result this time for the Olympic-bound team, they won 22 - 12 with Wang putting up a team-high 9. 

With that, they were headed to a finals matchup. 

The runner-up: Maebashi Flowlish EXE

The unassuming side from Japan turned heads as they made a statement in Langfang. 

It was a narrow loss to China in the opener, but the team bounced back swiftly. They won 20 - 13 against the Philippines. Misa Yokoi and Anna Tivenius both put up 8 points each in the effort. They followed it up with a gritty 15 - 9 where Fukuyo Takahashi made a statement. A whopping 12 points from her proved to be the difference.

They took on a strong Mongolia side in the Quarter-Final, whose core has already won a stop this season in Ulaanbaatar. Maebashi however, stood up to the test, ousting the Mongolians 21 - 15. Tivenius and Takahashi combined for 16.

It was yet another win that followed, this time in the Semis against China U23. Fukuyo Takahashi went off yet again for another 12-point effort in their 21 - 15 win.

The miraculous run booked them a rematch against team China in the final. 

The final

China 21 - 15 Maebashi Flowlish EXE

China showcased just their pedigree early in the matchup, going on a fiery 7-1 start. Mingling Chen got off to a hot start for her side. Tivenius and Takahashi fought back though, making shots to keep their side in the tie. 

Lili Wang maintained the pace of the game, keeping her side ahead with sporadic buckets. Yet, huge twos from Takahashi and Yokoi made it a two-point game at 12 - 10. 

Fortunately for China, it was Lili Wang who took the game beyond a catch-up. Making numerous twos to widen the margin. Mingling Chen sealed the deal with a mid-range bucket. China won in dominant fashion at home, and they look ready heading into Paris. 

Standings 

1. China

2. Maebashi Flowlish EXE (JPN)

3. China U23

4. China U24

5. Thailand

6. Mongolia

7. Philippines 

8. Singapore

What’s next

The W Series heads to Kosovo next with the Pristina Women's Series going down on July 18 - 19.