Top seed San Juan Church's aim to bounce back at FIBA 3x3 Penang Challenger 2024

PENANG (Malaysia) - In-form San Juan Church's (PUR) and Princeton (USA) are again on a collision course amid a loaded field at the FIBA 3x3 Penang Challenger 2024 on June 1-2. 

Let's preview the third Challenger of the year.

The Favorites

We just have to start with the top two seeds, who memorably squared off at the recent FIBA 3x3 Hongcheon Challenger. 

San Juan will have extra motivation because they fell short to their American rival in an instant classic. But there was plenty to like with emerging superstar Antonio Ralat continuing to get better after dominating the major stats categories in Hongcheon,

They might once again have to get through Princeton, who have started the season strongly. Real ones know that Henry Caruso drips wet every time he steps on the half-court, but young guns Riley Grigsby and Austin Butler produced scene-stealing performances in Hongcheon. 

The dynamic young duo will be out to show it was no fluke, but Princeton will be tested early against Fribourg (SUI) in a Pool B blockbuster. The Swiss Maestros are always a force because they have the Jurkovitz brothers, who take turns dominating the paint. 

No.3 seed Beijing (CHN) have started the season with a couple of quarter-final efforts in Challengers, but they are just tuning up. 

Utsunomiya BREX EXE (JPN) just have to be deemed a favorite because they've shown strong early season form, with Teodor Atanasov on a heater. 

The Field

Sansar (MGL) will be hoping to lift the mood of their countrymen after Mongolia fell agonizingly short of a Paris Olympic ticket. And if Enkhbaatar Onolbaatar gets going then Sansar might just be able to go on a deep run. 

They're back! OGs NY Harlem (USA) return and that means we get to see Dominique Jones aka 'Disco Domo' put on his dancing shoes. You better believe he hasn't lost a step. 

Speaking of showmen, there is no better entertainer than Tomoya Ochiai, who will be leading always dangerous Saitama Alphas EXE (JPN). 

And we just have to mention Kandava Turība (LAT), who represent the New Gen of 3x3 powerhouse Latvia.  

Pools

Pool A: San Juan Church's (PUR), Kandava Turiba (LAT), Saitama Alphas EXE (JPN)
Pool B: Princeton (USA), Fribourg (SUI), Sagamihara Enndaruma (JPN)
Pool C: Beijing (CHN), NY Harlem (USA), Bangkok (THA)
Pool D: Utsunomiya BREX EXE (JPN), Sansar (MGL), QD

What's at stake

The top 3 teams in Penang will qualify for the Edmonton Masters on July 6-7, 2024, as part of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour.

How to watch

The two-day extravaganza is on June 1-2 and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube page.