Partizan stay resilient on Perfect Day 1 at 3x3 World Tour Manama Masters presented by Bahrain Tourism and GFH

MANAMA (Bahrain) - Partizan (SRB) come from the Qualifying Draw to go undefeated in pool phase on Day 1 of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Manama Masters on November 16. 

THE TEAM

Partizan had work to do, having to compete through the qualifying draw. They came out unscathed following victories against Alula and Princeton. Ivan Popovic made his mark early with a 10-point game while being lights out from deep. It was a narrow victory against Princeton with Stefan Milivojevic calling game with a couple of seconds to go. 

Their main draw proceedings started with a tough matchup against Amsterdam. They made their defensive presence felt early as they nullified the Dutch offense while slowly climbing up on the scoreboard. Marko Stevanovic and Stefan Torbica combined for 13 points to lead their side to victory. 

It was a challenging final game of the day against home side Riffa. Popovich and his perimeter shooting were the difference maker again as his three twos and a total of 8 points were enough to seal a perfect 4-0 Day 1 for the Serbian side. 

Joining them in the pool of teams to go unbeaten on the day would be Antwerp TOPDesk (BEL) who took care of business against Lausanne and Jeddah, Marijampole Mantinga (LTU) who withstood heavy competition in Vienna and San Juan, and Hangzhou (CHN) who started their day upsetting Ub Huishan NE before defeating Futian (CHN) to close out 2-0. 

THE PLAYER

Marijampole Mantinga’s star Evaldas Džiaugys was on fire in the pool phase. Taking on some heavy artillery and defensive firepower, nothing could stop the Lithuanian as he went off for 13 points against Vienna before dashing in the razzle-dazzle with a 9-point display against San Juan. His 22-point pool phase would have him finish as top scorer. He also finished second in player value score with 22.3.

QUARTER-FINALS

Hangzhou (CHN) - Jeddah (KSA)

Partizan (SRB) - Vienna (AUS)

Marijampole Mantinga (LTU) - Amsterdam HiPRO (NED)

Antwerp TOPDesk (BEL) - Futian (CHN)

STATS

- Evaldas Džiaugys finished as top scorer with 22 points.

- Antwerp’s Jonas Foerts finished with the highest Player Value score of 24.6.

- Worthy De Jong racked up the highlights, finishing with 15. 

- Lausanne’s Westher Molteni grabbed the most rebounds on the day (17).

- Antwerp only conceded 10 points on Day 1.