RIO DE JANEIRO (2015 FIBA 3x3 World Tour) - Team Novi Sad Al Wahda (UAE) won their second FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters of the season in Rio de Janeiro after defeating Santos (BRA) (21-15), who will join them and Team Rio (BRA) at the World Tour Final in Abu Dhabi on 15-16 October.
The number one 3x3 player in the world Dusan Domovic Bulut was unstoppable in Rio, scoring a tournament-high 46 points, including a memorable between-the-legs playground move and claimed MVP honours. ‘Mr Bullutproof’ topped all scorers in the final with 11 points. His team-mate and Bradesco Shoot-Out Contest winner Dejan Majstorovic added 6.
In the losing effort, Ismar Neto netted 9 points and team-mate Guilherme Rojas had 5. These two together with Fabio Santos will make their second straight appearance at the World Tour Final following their 9th place in Tokyo in 2014.
It was a second win at the World Tour this season as well for Dmitry ‘Smoove’ Krivenko. The Ukrainian professional dunker dominated the Bradesco Dunk Contest following his triumph in Prague last month.
Novi Sad Al Wahda took home the US $10,000 winning prize while Santos won US $4,000. Given that the former had already qualified for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final, third-place Rio (BRA) also secured a spot for Abu Dhabi on 15-16 October, where they join Manila North (PHI), Kranj (SLO), Kolobrzeg (POL), Doha (QAT), Ljubljana (SLO), Vilnius (LTU), Trbovlje (SLO), Denver (USA) and NY Harlem (USA).
Final Standings of the 2015 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Rio de Janeiro Masters:
1. Novi Sad Al Wahda (UAE)
2. Santos (BRA)
3. Rio (BRA)
4. Chicago (USA)
5. Rio Preto (BRA)
6. Pelotas (BRA)
7. Montevideo (URU)
8. Anchieta (BRA)
9. Pergamino (ARG)
10. Juana Diaz (PUR)
11. La Plata (ARG)
12. Esmeraldas (ECU)