Sakiai Gulbele win their first-ever FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters in Montreal

MONTREAL (Canada) - Sakiai Gulbele (LTU) made history in the first edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Montreal Masters on September 7-8, 2019.

The Lithuanian squad took home their first-ever World Tour Masters title after beating the World Tour reigning  champs Novi Sad (SRB) in the semi-finals and crowd favorites Edmonton (CAN) in the final (21-14).

Not intimidated by the roaring Canadian fans, Paulius Beliavicius was the hero in the final as he scored a game-high 10 points, including the game-winning drive to the rim.

His teammate Marijus Uzupis - who competed in the first-ever official FIBA 3x3 event at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games - was named MVP after leading his team in scoring and finished second overall behind 3x3 star Dusan Bulut.

In the individual contests, Isaiah Rivera (USA) dominated the Dunk Contest, presented by 'Visit Barbados' while Edmonton's Steve Sir took home the shoot-out contest, presented by 'Tourism Montreal', his third win at a shoot-out contest at the World Tour this year.

Montreal played host to a genuine urban culture festival with the World Tour, the 12th stop of the Women's Series (won by Canada), breakdance battles organized by the World Dance Sport Federation and a concert of local hip hop band Alaclair Ensemble.

FINAL STANDINGS
1. Sakiai Gulbele (LTU)
2. Edmonton (CAN)
3. Novi Sad (SRB)
4. Liman (SRB)
5. Zemun (SRB)
6. NY Harlem (USA)
7. Piran (SLO)
8. Lausanne (SUI)
9. Sao Paulo DC (BRA)
10. Old Montreal (CAN)
11. San Juan (PUR)
12. Toronto Hyundai G (CAN)

The 9th Masters of the season will be played in Los Angeles, United States  on September 20-21

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Exciting, urban and innovative, 3x3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court.

It was played successfully for the first time in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and since then has benefited from the launch of a yearly city-based FIBA 3x3 World Tour and national-team FIBA 3x3 World & Continental Cups.

On 9 June 2017, 3x3 was added to the Olympic Program, starting from the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Nike is the Founding Partner, Wilson the Global Sponsor and Tissot the Official Timekeeper of FIBA 3x3.

FIBA 3x3 events are played on Enlio floors with Wilson balls, Schelde backstops, and the Magic Sky canopy system.

For further information about 3x3, visit fiba3x3.basketball, FIBA 3x3 accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Sina Weibo, Tencent, Twitter, Youku and YouTube or contact 3x3@fiba.com.