All we learned from FIBA 3x3 World Tour Chengdu Masters 2023

CHENGDU (China) - It was a memorable return to a fan favorite Chinese destination as a new champ on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2023 was crowned. 

Let's recap all the action from the Chengdu Masters.  

Liman Huishan NE break drought 

You just knew legendary Liman (SRB) would not go an entire season without a Masters victory.  After all, they are one of the GOAT teams in World Tour history. 

After an up and down season, they started to round into top form after a runners-up finish to Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL) in Shanghai. 

They went one better here with an unbeaten campaign in Chengdu with Liman exacting revenge by defeating Ulaanbaatar in a thriller on Day One. 

It was a perfect warm-up for what would be a tense knockout stage for Liman, who proved to be the masters of the clutch. 

Liman beat rival Ub Huishan NE (SRB), Beijing (CHN) in OT and finally Vienna (AUT) on Day Two to claim their long-awaited Masters title. 

They have been rejuvenated this season by the addition of MVP Ning Zhang, who was again electric and had the loud fans jumping from their seats.

He's forming a big three alongside stars Stefan Kojic and Mihailo Vasic, who were brilliant in Chengdu and finished in the top two in player value. 

An ice-cool Kojic hit the Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beater to down Vienna and ensure Liman finally capture a Masters title in 2023. It probably won't be their last. 

 

Vienna fall just short

The Austrians were so close to their second title in three Masters before Kojic's heroics. 

It was a terrific turnaround from Vienna, who started with a big opening defeat to Omaha (USA) but they regrouped quickly by edging San Juan (PUR) in a must-win game. 

Vienna then produced dominant back-to-back wins over Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) and Lausanne Sport LS (SUI) to storm into the final but ultimately couldn't add to their triumph in Amsterdam. 

Superstar Quincy Diggs again led from the front but he was well supported by Enis Murati, who has added firepower to a Vienna team hitting their straps. 

 

Beijing have a new superhero

Beijing did not have Karlis Lasmanis, who you might well know as 'Batman'.

It appeared that Beijing would rely on Nauris Miezis aka 'Robin' but up stepped Songwei Zhu, who was a walking bucket in Chengdu with 31 points in 4 games. 

The towering 26-year-old  was unstoppable from all over the half-court to power Beijing into the semis. If he continues to play like this - alongside a returning Lasmanis - then Beijing should be able to claim a first-ever World Tour title. 

Parrott is a flat out entertainer

Who was the most entertaining player in Chengdu? It was probably Omaha's new star James Parrott, who was a human highlight reel with a string of dazzling performances.

He finished No.1 in highlights with 29 in just 3 games! Parrott had one of the most spectacular games of the season with 10 points and 17 - 17! - highlights against San Juan on Day One, including a filthy two-handed dunk.

 

He also had a triple-five against Vienna to prove that James Parrott is one of the most lit players on the World Tour right now.

Ub Huishan NE's slump continues

Ub's record start to the season is now starting to feel a long time ago. After six straight Masters wins to start the season, Ub have now gone five events without a title on the World Tour. 

After losing on Day One to Lausanne Sport LS , Ub were drawn against Liman in the quarters but went cold from deep as their recent struggles continued.

We know this legendary team can turn it around - they did exactly that last season - but suddenly there is pressure on them especially with the field looking so much deeper. 

Ub will get another chance to end their slump at the upcoming Abu Dhabi Masters. 

Chengdu issues a timely reminder

After four long years, the World Tour was back in one of its favorite destinations. 

And it was a reminder that Chengdu is an amazing 3x3 location with the fourth edition of the event surely the best yet. The fans who have waited so long for the World Tour to return were naturally making up for lost time and the atmosphere was insane. 

It was amazing to be back in Chengdu and we're glad it won't be four years till we return. 

FIBA