HONG KONG (China) - Coming from the Qualifying Draw, Princeton dominated in pool play to go unbeaten on Day 1 of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Hong Kong Final 2024 on November 23.
TEAMS
PRINCETON
Princeton, though not the highest in seeding and having to earn their way to the main draw, had been on hot form in recent stops. Their momentum paid dividends in Hong Kong as they became the only team to go 2-0 in pool play. They fought hard in their opener against Paris and came away with a 19 - 16 victory. It was a collective offensive effort with their fluid movement opening spaces for the team.
The American side went up against a clutch and hungry Vienna to close out pool phase. Another closely contested battle saw them emerge victorious again. Stifling defence opened space for clear offensive opportunities.
Princeton finished with a 21 - 17 victory to take top seed and momentum heading into tomorrow.
UB HUISHAN NE (NED)
The Serbian Giants are eyeing a three-peat after winning the title in 2022 and 2023. They started their bid for another title in style. They faced off against Liman to start the action. The team clicked early and got off to a hot start, cementing a 22 - 11 statement win off the back of a combined 15-point showing between Strahinja Stojacic and Marko Brankovic.
Despite another strong display in their next game against Partizan, they suffered a close loss. Ub showed grit in pool play as they head into Day 2 with a point to prove.
MIAMI (USA)
A similar story in pool B, Miami came out swinging in pool play. They caught fire offensively against Lausanne and picked up a 21 - 16 victory. Mitch Hahn led his side in scoring with 8 points while James Parrott picked up 6 points and a few highlights along the way.
They suffered a closely fought loss to Raudondvaris off the back of a monstrous 15-point game from Evaldas Dziaugys, but they did enough to take the top spot in their pool.
RIFFA (BRN)
Riffa came into Hong Kong with high expectations but faltered to start. They suffered a narrow loss to a desperate Amsterdam who needed to win to keep their qualification hopes alive. A 21 - 20 defeat where Thibaut Vervoort put up a huge 11 points.
They needed to get a result against a lethal Ulaanbaatar side and that they did. They never let the Mongolian side get going as they won with a complete 21 - 7 shut-out in record time. This time it was Jonas Foerts who took the offensive charge with an 11-point game to lead Riffa to victory.
PLAYERS
EVALDAS DZIAUGYS (Raudondvaris Hoptrans)
The Lithuanian was a one-man show for Raudondvaris in pool play. He was unstoppable in their opener against Miami, going off for 15 points in one of the best individual games of the season.
He was crucial in their next game against Lausanne as his 7 points proved to be pivotal in their qualification to the knockout rounds.
QUARTER-FINALS
Ub Huishan NE (SRB) - Amsterdam (NED)
Princeton (USA) - Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)
Miami (USA) - Paris (FRA)
Riffa (BRN) - Partizan Meta Force (SRB)
DAY 2
All comes down to this. We wrap up the World Tour season as our final 8 battle for the elusive title in Hong Kong. Tune in LIVE tomorrow to the finals!