MANILA (2015 FIBA 3x3 World Tour) - Team Novi Sad Al Wahda started their World Tour title defence in style, with a resounding win at the Manila Masters. In the final, the reigning champs defeated (21-14) a Manila North team supported by thousands of fans in Robinsons Place, one of Manila and Asia's biggest shopping malls.
Manila North had no answer for Dejan Majstorovic and number one 3x3 player in the world Dusan Domovic Bulut (10 and 9 points respectively) in the final. The Filipino squad's 14 points were nonetheless the highest mark conceded by the reigning champs in the event, proof of their complete domination.
Manila North had no answer for Dejan Majstorovic and number one 3x3 player in the world Dusan Domovic Bulut (10 and 9 points respectively) in the final. The Filipino squad's 14 points were nonetheless the highest mark conceded by the reigning champs in the event, proof of their complete domination.
Manila North - led by local star Calvin Abueva - upset several high seeds on their way to the final, including the 2013 FIBA 3x3 World Tour winners (Team Ljubljana) and last year's Manila Masters winners in a heated 100 percent Filipino semi-final against Manila West's Terrence Romeo.
The ankle-breaker specialist Romeo was a star in Manila, claiming the MVP, top scorer and PLDT Shoot-Out Contest trophies. His team-mate Rey Guevarra won the SMART Dunk Contest. The event was highlighted by 1.65m dunker Porter 'What's Gravity?!' Maberry, dunking over a player 30 centimetres taller, sporting a Jimmy Alapag jersey as the Filipino basketball legend was in the jury.
Team Novi Sad Al Wahda bagged the US $10,000 winning prize while Team Manila North won US $4,000. Both teams qualified for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final, which is hosted in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on 15-16 October.
Final Standings of the 2015 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Manila Masters:
1. Novi Sad Al Wahda (UAE)
2. Manila North (PHI)
3. Manila West (PHI)
4. Doha (QAT)
5. Ljubljana (SLO)
6. Kobe (JPN)
7. Auckland (NZL)
8. Longshi (CHN)
9. Beirut (LIB)
10. Manila South (PHI)
11. Kaohsiung (TPE)
12. Medan (INA)
The ankle-breaker specialist Romeo was a star in Manila, claiming the MVP, top scorer and PLDT Shoot-Out Contest trophies. His team-mate Rey Guevarra won the SMART Dunk Contest. The event was highlighted by 1.65m dunker Porter 'What's Gravity?!' Maberry, dunking over a player 30 centimetres taller, sporting a Jimmy Alapag jersey as the Filipino basketball legend was in the jury.
Team Novi Sad Al Wahda bagged the US $10,000 winning prize while Team Manila North won US $4,000. Both teams qualified for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final, which is hosted in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on 15-16 October.
Final Standings of the 2015 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Manila Masters:
1. Novi Sad Al Wahda (UAE)
2. Manila North (PHI)
3. Manila West (PHI)
4. Doha (QAT)
5. Ljubljana (SLO)
6. Kobe (JPN)
7. Auckland (NZL)
8. Longshi (CHN)
9. Beirut (LIB)
10. Manila South (PHI)
11. Kaohsiung (TPE)
12. Medan (INA)
By: Editor
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