EDMONTON (Canada) - Ub (SRB) stay stellar, defeating Carolina (PUR) 21 - 16 to win the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Edmonton 2025 on August 3.
It was a rematch between two dominant sides who not only faced off already in pool play this time around where Carolina beat the Serbian side but have also clashed in the Edmonton Final in 2023, where Ub came out on top.
Despite the loss to the side from Puerto Rico, Ub quickly got back on track and made their way to the final with huge wins over Miami and Amsterdam. Carolina on the other hand, went unbeaten in pool play before defeating Ulaanbaatar and Chongming in the knockout rounds to book their place in the final.
The Antonio Ralat-led side were clutch all day, now tasked to face the Serbian Giants who have been undeniable in their recent final appearances in the circuit.
Marko Brankovic got going early for Ub with buckets from two-range as well as in the paint. Carolina answered back through Bryan Gonzalez who had been key to their success throughout the tournament.
The Serbian side played physical early on and imposed themselves while Carolina maintained their defensive grit, aiming to prevent the on-fire opposition to heat up. The initial third of the game saw nothing separating the two sides, an even-split 7-7. That’s when things picked up.
Gonzalez and Allende notched buckets for Carolina while Brankovic continued his onslaught. A clear strategy was imposed from both teams to nullify the key opposing threats in Strahinja Stojacic and Antonio Ralat. It wasn’t long before both stars made their presence felt with big-time buckets down the stretch, but it was Ub who made the most noise.
Big men Barac and Nerandzic scored timely points while Stojacic and Brankovic capitalised on the space with incisive drives and deep buckets. Carolina fell in a slump, allowing the Serbians to pull themselves closer to the win. Nenad Nerandzic was the one to put the finishing touches as Ub closed out a 21 - 16 win over Carolina to make it 4 stops in a row for the unstoppable Serbians.
Dr. Strange, in his first stop since returning from injury, was just as imposing. He scored 24 points during the tournament while also flaunting his playmaking prowess in setting up his side. He led the Serbian side in player value with 34.9. The World Number one earned MVP honours in Edmonton as Ub continued their unstoppable run of form.
In the individual contests, Jacob Harvey (Phoenix) won the Wilson Shoot-Out Contest while Brandon “Highrize” Ruffin won the Dunk Contest.
STANDINGS
1. Ub (SRB)
2. Carolina (PUR)
3. Chongming (CHN)
4. Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED)
5. Miami (USA)
6. Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)
7. Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL)
8. Washington DC (USA)
9. Partizan (SRB)
10. Phoenix (USA)
11. Caracas (VEN)
12. Sint Maarten (NED)