Twists and turns

The action is all over in Vladivostock, Russia and the places on offer for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final in Miami have been snagged up by two teams from the host nation.

In fact, the three Russian teams in the field finished on the podium, but this shouldn't be seen as an indication that they were far and above the other 12 teams.

It could just as well have been teams from Auckland, Melbourne and New Taipei City doing battle for the top honours.

What it came down to were some thrilling Quarter-Finals, three of which went down to the wire.

Khabarovsk eventually made it to the title game, but not before they were pushed hard by the team from Auckland in a Last 8 clash that finished on a score of 17-15.

They would be tested again in the Semi-Finals...more on this later.

The Quarter-Final between Amur and Melbourne featured two balanced and well-matched teams, with the final scoreline of 21-20 reflecting that. A play here or there could have swung the game in the Australians' favour.

Perhaps the most enthralling battle for a Semi-Final place was the one in which New Taipei City stunned Rucker Park NYC at the death.

The game went to overtime and it was anyone's to win until the Asian team deflected an American entry pass, hustled to keep the ball inbounds and finished the incredible play off by finding sharp shooter Chun-An Yu - the winner of the Samsung Shootout Contest - who connected from behind the arc at the buzzer to propel his team to a 17-15 win.

On paper, it didn't look as though New Taipey City could match up well with the Americans. They didn't have the same kind of athleticism as their opponents and certainly had no one big enough to guard the tallest player in the tournament, Shagari Alleyne who stands 2.21m (7ft 3in) tall.

But therein lies the beauty of 3x3 - the game can turn at any given moment with just one play.

Khabarovsk certainly proved this in their Semi-Final against fellow Russians Amur.

After trailing for most of the game, they rode the hot shooting of Dmitriy Sharabin to even the score and force an overtime. He knocked down three long-balls, some of which had to be seen to be believed.

In the extra period, it was Ivan Usik's turn to shine as he buried a contested shot from beyond the arc for an 18-17 win.

In the end, Vladivostok were the tournament winners and Khabarovsk got its just reward in securing the second berth on offer for the World Tour Final. But a number of other teams showed they had what it takes to compete with them.