ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - Serbia (men) and the Netherlands (women) earned much-needed wins to earn spots into the next round on Day 4 of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup on June 26.
TEAMS
SERBIA (men)
The reigning 3x3 World Cup winners split results on the first day, leaving their place in the pool in limbo. Tonight however, they showed out in crucial games to go 2-0 in dominant fashion.
They took on Madagascar in their opener who had had a tough run in the tournament so far. The Serbian Giants came out strong and established themselves. Dejan Majstorovic caught fire from deep and put up 11 points as they swiftly came away with a 21 - 9 victory.
They faced Germany next, an on-fire side who came into the game unbeaten. They were no match for the Serbians on the day though, as it was yet another 21 - 9 drubbing in favor of them. Majstorovic and Strahinja Stojacic combined for 15 points in the tie as they finished top of their pool.
NETHERLANDS (women)
Coming into the tournament with high expectations off the back of incredible form, the Dutch underwhelmed on their opening day, going 0-2 in their first half of pool action.
Nothing short of 2 wins would suffice in their quest to earn a spot into the next rounds. They took on Chile in their first game of the day and started off slow. They gained rhythm eventually and started to pull away, earning a 21 - 13 win. Noortje Driessen shone for her side, putting up 11 points.
They faced an incisive Czechia side next and came away victorious again. A 21 - 15 result this time thanks to yet another offensive outburst from Driessen who put up 9.
The gumptious Dutch earned two wins and a place in to the play-in round.
PLAYERS
ANTONIO RALAT (PUERTO RICO)
Speaking of unbeaten teams on the day, Puerto Rico went 2-0 in today’s action. Their talisman Antonio Ralat was at the helm of their perfect day of action.
They face Austria in their first game of the day in which Ralat put up a whopping 12 points to secure the win for his side.
It was a gritty Canadian side next and it was once again a win for Puerto Rico. He scored 11 points this time, standing tall as the force behind Puerto Rico’s offense on the day and their future within the tournament.
NOORTJE DRIESSEN (NETHERLANDS)
The world number one came out swinging for the Dutch who knew they needed a perfect day to advance to the next rounds.
They won 21 - 13 and 21 - 15 against Chile and Czechia respectively and it was Driessen on top of the offense each time. She put up 11 points in their first game of the day followed by another 9 in their pool closer.
The Dutch seem to have found their groove again after a rough first day of action, and they have Noortje Driessen at the helm of it all.
BRACKETS
MEN’S PLAY-IN
Puerto Rico v Japan (winner faces Serbia)
Latvia v Austria (winner faced Switzerland)
Australia v Spain (winner faces China)
Netherlands v Germany (winner faced United States)
WOMEN’S PLAY-IN
Hungary v Netherlands (winner faces Australia)
Japan v Canada (winner faces Spain)
Poland v Germany (winner faces France)
Mongolia v China (winner faces United States)
DAY 5
Day 5 is all about play-in action. We lock in our quarter-finalists tomorrow. Tune in LIVE to catch all the high-stakes World Cup action.