HONG KONG - Ub (SRB) came out swinging, earning two strong wins to finish pool play perfect on Day 2 of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Hong Kong on June 19.
TEAMS
UB (SRB)
The Serbian Giants were on top form despite the absence of World Number One Strahinja Stojacic, handling business as they went unbeaten in pool play.
They took on home side Hong Kong first, led by Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalist Agnis Čavars. The Serbians blitzed their opposition early, utilising their quick playmaking and elite paint scorers to outweigh Hong Kong. Marko Brankovic finished the game with 11 points while Nenad Nerandžić and Nemanja Barać both contributed 5 points each in their 21 - 11 victory.
They faced Latvian side Kandava next, a matchup that proved to be relatively closer with the Latvians taking the competition to Ub head-on. The duo of Brankovic and Nerandžić were unstoppable despite Kanava’s best efforts, both combining for 13 points in a 22 - 17 victory.
The Serbians will march into day 2 action with momentum on their side as they look to bookmark the return of 3x3 World Tour action after a small hiatus with a statement win.
Other teams to go unbeaten on the day were Partizan (SRB), Skyliners (GER) and Chongming (CHN).
PLAYERS
FILIP KALUDEROVIC (Hangzhou)
“Killa” Kaluderovic was feeling himself today as he was the linchpin to Hangzhou’s journey from Qualifying Draw all the way to Quarter-final action on Day 2. He put up 11 points in their opening game win against Guangzhou to set the tone for his side.
He brought the momentum forward into pool play where he put up 8 points against the contending Miami, a statement result for the side from China. They suffered a heartbreaking loss to Chongming in their final pool game but not before Kaluderovic had himself a game of dreams.
Being down double digits at 17 - 7, Hangzhou fought back off the back of a sensational run from Kaluderovic as they pulled it back all the way to taking a 20 - 19 lead before losing to a last gasp winner from Karlis Lasmanis. Filip finished with a whopping 15 points in the losing matchup, a sign of the form he is in.
Hangzhou will need their talisman to ride the wave into tomorrow as they look to earn their first stop win of the season in Hong Kong.
QUARTER-FINAL
Ub (SRB) - Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL)
Chongming (CHN) - Toulouse (FRA)
Skyliners (GER) - Hangzhou (CHN)
Partizan (SRB) - Kandava Turibia (LAT)
DAY 2
High-stakes 3x3 action incoming tomorrow as we crown our Hong Kong masters stop winners. Tune in LIVE to catch the finals of the 3x3 World Tour Hong Kong stop.