Ub march forward on Day 1 at 3x3 World Tour Jeddah Masters

JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - Ub Huishan NE (SRB) are firing on all cylinders in Jeddah as they go unbeaten on Day 1 of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Jeddah Final on December 8. 

THE TEAM

Reigning champions Ub showcased their pedigree on Day 1 of the World Tour Final in Jeddah. Taking on a Nauris Miezis-led Beijing side in the opener, the side took a while to shake off the jitters. Finding themselves on the losing end for most of the game, it was Nenad Nerandzic and Marko Brankovic who got the crucial buckets down the stretch to hand their team the late lead. They would hold on to the 20-19 advantage to pick up the win. Newly crowned 2023 regular season MVP Strahinja Stojacic led his side in scoring with 8.

It was a more straightforward affair against Lithuanian Giants Raudondvaris Hoptrans with sub coming away with a 21 - 11 win thanks to a huge 10-point game from Brankovic. The Serbians finished the day perfect as they get set to face Lausanne in the quarterfinal tomorrow. 

Joining them on the 2-0 train were Partizan Mozzart (SRB), Amsterdam HiPRO (NED) and Antwerp TOPdesk (BEL).

THE PLAYER

Amsterdam’s (NED) Worthy De Jong was HYPE-WORTHY in Jeddah. He started off on fire, putting up an incredible 18 points in the opener against Liman. He followed it up with an 11-point display where his clutch two proved to be the dagger. He finished second in Player Value score as well with 20.1. Amsterdam with an on-fire Worthy is a recipe for success for the Dutch.  

QUARTER-FINALS

Ub Huishan NE (SRB) - Lausanne Sport LS (SUI)

Antwerp TOPdesk (BEL) - Miami (USA)

Partizan Mozzart (SRB) - San Juan (PUR)

Amsterdam HiPRO (NED) - Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)

STATS

- Worthy De Jong finished as top scorer with 29 points.

- Ub’s Marko Brankovic finished with the highest Player Value score of 23.0.

- Beijing’s Nauris Miezis racked up the highlights, finishing with 11. 

- Quincy Diggs (Vienna) grabbed the most rebounds on the day (15).