【RECAP】3×3.EXE PREMIER JAPAN 2025 ROUND.4

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Round 4 Day 3 – HIROSHIMA

Gilligan and Scott Power ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE to Top Spot at Season’s Midpoint

Day 3 of Round 4 in Hiroshima marked a pivotal milestone in the 2025 3×3.EXE Premier Japan season the halfway point in a campaign already filled with drama, breakout performances, and shifting power dynamics. As the league took to an outdoor stage in the historic city of Hiroshima, teams knew that every win, point, and possession now carried even greater weight in the race for the postseason. With standings tightening and EXE Points up for grabs, the sense of urgency was unmistakable.

From fierce battles in the pool stage to a finale stacked with high-stakes clashes, Day 3 delivered a showcase of momentum-building wins and statement-making performances. Whether it was veteran-laden squads asserting their dominance or rising teams pushing into contention, the action in Hiroshima not only entertained but helped shape the championship picture as we turn the corner into the second half of the season.

POOL A

TOKYO VERDY.EXE – 165 EXE POINTS | 43% Winning% | 16.6 PPG
MEGURO SIXERS.EXE – 145 EXE POINTS | 33% Winning% | 13.7 PPG
ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE – 160 EXE POINTS | 57% Winning% | 17.4 PPG

POOL A MOMENT THAT MATTERED

TOKYO VERDY.EXE Seal Pool A with 6-1 Game-Ending Run in Hiroshima

TOKYO VERDY.EXE and ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE entered their Pool A clash both hungry to bounce back after falling short of the semifinals in Round 3. With two of the most stable rosters in the league, TOKYO VERDY.EXE running the same four all season and ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE sticking with a trusted core of six, this matchup was set to be a tactical and physical battle driven by team chemistry and execution.

Early on, TOKYO VERDY.EXE’s cohesion was on display, with all four players scoring in the opening minutes. ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE countered through Chuji Shimoda and Uda Ryuhei, whose playmaking and scoring helped keep the game within reach. After falling behind by five during a 7-4 VERDY run, ZIGEXN responded in kind, Shimoda nailed a critical two-pointer to give his team a narrow 16-15 edge with under a minute to play.

But just when it looked like the momentum had shifted, TOKYO VERDY.EXE raised their level. Ryuta Sekiguchi grabbed a huge offensive board and converted a tough putback to tie the game at 16. On the very next play, Meida Cocoro delivered a slick no-look assist to Sekiguchi on a backdoor cut, retaking the lead. That quick-fire sequence jolted the energy back in VERDY’s favor and ignited a powerful finishing surge.

With the clock winding down, Riku Oguchi iced the contest. Finding space in the corner, he launched and drained a clutch two-pointer, putting TOKYO VERDY.EXE up by four and out of reach with just 15 seconds left. That shot capped a dominant 6-1 run to end the game and secured top spot in Pool . Proving once again that experience, structure, and calm under pressure win games in 3×3 basketball.

POOL A RESULTS

Game 1 – TOKYO VERDY.EXE (21) Def ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE (17)
Game 2 – MEGURO SIXERS.EXE (17) Def ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE (14)
Game 3- TOKYO VERDY.EXE (21) Def MEGURO SIXERS.EXE (10)

POOL A WINNER:

TOKYO VERDY.EXE

POOL A NOTABLE SCORERS:

Riku Oguchi (TOKYO VERDY.EXE) – 6.7 PPG | 42% FG%
Uda Ryuhei (ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE) – 7.5 PPG | 50% FG%
Ryusei Narita (MEGURO SIXERS.EXE) – 4.5 PPG | 52% – 1PT FG%

POOL B

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE – 280 EXE POINTS | 92% Winning% | 20.8 PPG
ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE – 170 EXE POINTS | 50% Winning% | 14.9 PPG
SANJO BEATERS.EXE – 135 EXE POINTS | 0% Winning% | 10.0 PPG

POOL B MOMENT THAT MATTERED

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE Stay Hot, Outpace CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE in High-Stakes Clash

The opening clash in Pool B delivered an early dose of intensity in Hiroshima as ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE took on ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE in a game with serious implications for the standings. With ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE aiming to solidify their position among the league’s elite and ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE seeking to build off their Round 3 momentum, this was a statement game for both sides.

ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE started strong, with Zhu Siyuan and Ryohei Shimbo working the paint effectively and Masato Yano connecting from deep to take a narrow 6-5 lead after three minutes. Their physicality and early control in the key forced ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE to adjust defensively and rely on their own firepower to turn the tide.

That firepower came in the form of Devin Gilligan and Jevonnie Scott who are arguably the most formidable duo in the competition. Their combination of strength, spacing, and high IQ basketball began to overwhelm the CHERRYBLOSSOMS defence. With just over three and a half minutes left and the game still within reach, a key rebound from Scott and swift ball movement through Dai Shinada led to Gilligan finding himself wide open at the top. He didn’t hesitate, burying the two-point dagger to push the game beyond reach.

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE’s composure and execution down the stretch proved too much. Closing on a composed run, they sealed a 21-16 win and with it, kept their top 3 spot intact heading into the latter half of the season. The message was clear, when Gilligan and Scott are locked in, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE are nearly impossible to stop.

POOL B RESULTS

Game 1 – ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (20) Def ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE (16)
Game 2 – ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (21) Def SANJO BEATERS.EXE (8)
Game 3 – ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE (21) Def SANJO BEATERS.EXE (8)

POOL B WINNER:

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE

POOL B NOTABLE SCORERS:

Devin Gilligan (ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE) – 7.5 PPG | 83% – FG%
Masato Yano (ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE) – 6.5 PPG | 50% – 1 PT%
H.Bagamboula (SANJO BEATERS.EXE) – 5.5 PPG | 46% – 1 PT%

POOL C

SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE – 160 EXE POINTS | 43% Winning% | 16.6 PPG
3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE – 140 EXE POINTS | 17% Winning% | 14.3 PPG
SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE – 140 EXE POINTS | 17% Winning% | 16.5 PPG

POOL C MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Ren Chida’s Heroics Lift SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE to Victory in Hiroshima

The final game of Pool C pitted two evenly matched teams, SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE, a squad that’s shown flashes of potential with a previous semi-final appearance, against the hometown favourites 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE, eager to deliver a win on their home court in Hiroshima. With both teams already holding one win in the pool, this head-to-head battle would decide the semi-final qualifier.

It took over 90 seconds for the deadlock to break, highlighting the defensive commitment on both sides. Ataru Sakata finally broke through for 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE, but the response was immediate as Koji Nagata scored on the next possession for SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE. Through to the midway point, it was Yuichi Nagaoka keeping the hosts slightly ahead with gritty plays in the paint and calm trips to the free throw line.

Just as momentum looked to swing in favour of 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE, Shu Takahashi and Nagata hit back-to-back baskets with under four minutes to go, flipping the script and giving SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE a slender lead. With time ticking down and the game on the line, Riku Kaneko drilled a clutch two to bring 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE within one point, igniting the crowd and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

But Ren Chida had other plans. Known for his big-time moments this season, Chida buried a deep two to give AIRJOKER breathing room, then returned the favour with a crafty drive that drew two defenders before dishing it to a wide-open Takahashi, who sealed the deal with a composed finish. With a 21-14 victory, SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE claimed Pool C and punched their ticket to the semi-final.

POOL C RESULTS

Game 1 – 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE (16) Def SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE (14)
Game 2 – SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE (21) Def SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE (9)
Game 3 – SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE (21) Def 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE (14)

POOL C WINNER:

SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE

POOL C NOTABLE SCORERS:

Ren Chida (SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE) – 6.0 PPG | 63% – 1PT FG%
Yuichi Nagaoka (3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE) – 6.0 PPG | 60% FG%
Jikuri Kensei (SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 27% FG%

POOL D

UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE – 170 EXE POINTS | 57% Winning% | 18.7 PPG
HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE – 185 EXE POINTS | 56% Winning% | 17.0 PPG
MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE – 270 EXE POINTS | 92% Winning% | 20.4 PPG

POOL D MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Griffin Biwer Ignites UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE in Statement Victory Over MINAKAMI TOWN

Pool D opened with a blockbuster clash between early-season powerhouses MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE and the ever-dangerous but inconsistent UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE, both teams bringing serious firepower to the outdoor court in Hiroshima. It was billed as a test of top-tier experience against raw potential, and it delivered from the outset.

Shugo Bando wasted no time showing why he’s considered one of the premier snipers in the league, burying a deep two early, while Miloš Ćojbašić asserted himself in the paint for MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE. But Souleymane Coulibaly answered with power and precision for UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE, scoring four of their first five points and keeping his squad neck-and-neck in the opening exchanges.

As the physicality ramped up, the game remained tight until Ratko Arsović hit a crucial two-pointer with 4:30 remaining, tying things up at 11-11. That set the stage for Griffin Biwer, who took control of the final minutes with a string of impactful plays. Exploiting a mismatch in the short corner, Biwer nailed a mid-range jumper, then disrupted a clearance on the next possession to set up Yasuo Iijima for an easy conversion. Minutes later, Biwer followed up his own miss in heavy traffic to finish strong, creating the game’s first true separation.

That three-play sequence broke the momentum of MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE and gave UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE just enough room to stay in front. With MINAKAMI unable to land a counterpunch late, BREX.EXE closed out the contest and earned their biggest win of the season, an victory that could redefine their campaign moving into the second half of 3×3.EXE Premier 2025.

POOL D RESULTS

Game 1 – UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE (21) Def MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE (16)
Game 2 – MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE (21) Def HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE (17)
Game 3 – UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE (18) Def HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE (10)

POOL D WINNER:

UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE

POOL D NOTABLE SCORERS:

Souleymane Coulibaly (UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 50% – 1 PT%
Ratko Arsović (MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE) – 6.5 PPG | 57% – 1 PT%
Shingo Maeda (HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE) – 4.0 PPG | 50% – 1 PT%

SEMI FINAL 1

TOKYO VERDY.EXE vs ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE

Too Big, Too Strong: ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE Muscle Into the Final Behind Towering Duo

In a rematch of their Round 3 pool battle, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE once again proved too powerful for TOKYO VERDY.EXE, claiming a 21-16 victory in the first semi-final on Day 3 of 3×3.EXE Premier Round 4. With both teams entering the matchup unbeaten in pool play and averaging dominant margins of victory, the semi-final was always destined to be a clash of physicality, chemistry, and high-stakes execution.

TOKYO VERDY.EXE made the opening statement through Mieda Cocoro, who collected his own miss and finished a gritty layup to get the scoreboard moving. ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE, however, were slow to get going, not registering a point until Jevonnie Scott bullied his way to the hoop after a minute of play. From that point, the tone was set: both teams focused their attacks inside, testing each other’s physicality in the paint.

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE found early momentum through Devin Gilligan, whose outside shooting finally opened the floor. He drained the game’s first two-pointer just past the 3-minute mark, giving his team their first lead at 6-4. That spark triggered a strong surge, Scott dominated the glass and protected the arc, swatting away two TOKYO VERDY.EXE long-range attempts while Gilligan turned defence into points with clean finishes under the rim.

Despite a brief rally from TOKYO VERDY.EXE including their first 2-point make from Cocoro and a slashing finish from Riku Oguchi, they trailed 11-7 at the midpoint. The game paused briefly due to tile repairs on the court, but once resumed, it continued at full throttle. As TOKYO VERDY.EXE began to find space outside, Oguchi buried a deep two to cut the lead to just two points.

But every push by TOKYO VERDY.EXE was answered. Dai Shinada nailed a jumper off a crisp screen-and-roll from Makoto Fujine to keep ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE ahead. Kento Uenodan then stepped up with a key two-pointer for TOKYO VERDY.EXE, and when an unsportsmanlike foul gave him a chance at the line, he tied the game at 15 with under three minutes to go.

However, the response from ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE was instant. Gilligan calmly converted at the stripe, and Scott followed with back-to-back finishes inside, regaining full control. A crucial fifth block from beyond the arc, this time again denying a would-be TOKYO VERDY.EXE comeback attempt underscored the defensive edge that defined ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE’s victory.

A late contested layup from Cocoro brought some hope, but the Scott-Gilligan duo once again delivered down the stretch. They accounted for 19 of ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE’s 21 total points, combining inside dominance with perimeter lockdown to send their squad into yet another final in 2025. For TOKYO VERDY.EXE, it was a valiant showing, but not enough to overcome the most potent scoring unit in the league.

SCORE

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (21) Def TOKYO VERDY.EXE (16)

SEMI FINAL 2

SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE vs UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE

Coulibaly’s Speed and Biwer’s Power Lead UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE to Victory

In a battle of rising contenders, UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE delivered a statement performance to defeat SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE 22-14 and secure their first final appearance of the 2025 3×3.EXE Premier season. Despite entering the matchup with a lower average winning margin in pool play, UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE’s offensive polish and two-way execution proved too much to handle in a semi-final that slipped away from SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE in the second half.

The game began with Yasuo Iijima calmly knocking down a free throw to get UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE on the board, before Koji Nagata and Hiroto Watanabe answered on back-to-back possessions to give SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE a brief 2-1 lead. But the early spark didn’t last long, as Griffin Biwer and Yudai Ara powered a quick 5-0 run, with Ara scoring consecutive buckets to swing momentum and establish a 6-2 advantage after just two and a half minutes.

Ren Chida’s crafty step-back two-pointer injected life into the SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE offence, and his footwork from deep allowed his side to close the gap back to a single point. However, second-chance efforts from UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE created by relentless rebounding helped preserve their slim lead, taking a 10-8 advantage into the midpoint timeout.

Out of the break, Shu Takahashi responded with flair of his own, draining a long-range shot to tie the game at 10-all. But that moment would be the calm before the storm. What followed was a devastating 6-0 run from UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE, with Souleymane Coulibaly igniting the spark. Exploiting gaps with blinding speed and elite body control, Coulibaly slashed to the rim on four separate possessions, while Biwer continued to punish defenders inside.

SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE managed to respond briefly, Chida again stepping up from the corner to end the scoring drought, but UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE’s momentum was simply overwhelming. A Coulibaly free throw followed by a physical finish from Ara restored a comfortable cushion, as the clock became another enemy for SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE.

Down the stretch, it was the collective effort of Iijima and Biwer that sealed the deal. The balance between inside presence, perimeter discipline, and timely execution ensured UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE closed out the contest emphatically, 22-14. It was a performance that confirmed their evolution from mid-table spoilers to genuine championship contenders.

SCORE

UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE (22) Def SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE (14)

Grand FINAL

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA vs UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE

Gilligan and Scott Combine for 19 as ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE Seize Top Spot

In a clash between the league’s top-ranked squad and a hungry contender seeking their first title of 2025, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE reaffirmed their dominance. Coming into the Grand Final as the most consistent and efficient team this season, ZETHREE faced off against an upstart UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE team that had steadily found its rhythm across Round 4.

The opening moments set the tone: a gritty, defensive-heavy exchange that saw both teams struggle to find clean looks. Makoto Fujine opened the scoring with a reverse layup, followed by a physical finish from Gilligan, who would go on to dominate much of the contest. UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE’s response came through Coulibaly, who attacked relentlessly, while Iijima hit a long-range two to briefly give his side a 5-2 edge.

But ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE’s inside-out rhythm began to wear down their opponents. Jevonnie Scott powered in a dunk, and Gilligan followed up with an old-fashioned three-point play. When Dai Shinada nailed an off-balance jumper from deep and Gilligan scored again in isolation, the favourites looked ready to break away. A highlight-reel block by Biwer on Scott briefly halted the surge, but even a timeout couldn’t fully reset momentum for UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE.

By the midpoint, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE led 11-7. Despite a scare when Biwer collided with Scott’s elbow under the rim, the big man remained in the game and quickly got back to work. Yet it was Gilligan and Scott who continued to punish every defensive lapse, Gilligan with a slicing layup, Scott with another powerful slam.

With 3 minutes left, the scoreboard read 15-11 in favour of ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE. That margin only grew after a perfectly timed backdoor cut led to Scott drilling a 2 off a Gilligan feed, and a concurrent foul on Fujine meant they retained possession. Gilligan added another bucket, and with 50 seconds to play, Shinada delivered the dagger, a calm, confident jab step and pull-up two to seal the game.

With the 21-13 victory, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE claimed the full 100 EXE points on offer and leapfrogged SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE and HACHINOHE DIME.EXE into first place on the league ladder. A championship performance from a team that continues to show why they are the gold standard of 3×3 basketball in Japan.

SCORE

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (21) Def UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE (11)

MVP – Devin Gilligan (ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE)

7.5 PPG | 83% FG

Gilligan was unstoppable all tournament long, and the final was no exception. Whether isolating defenders on Gilligan’s Island or sinking timely buckets from deep, he dictated the game on his terms. But it wasn’t just his offence. Gilligan was equally effective on the defensive end, locking down key matchups and setting the tone physically. When ZETHREE IHSIKAWA.EXE needed a leader, they turned to Gilligan, and he delivered again and again.

FINAL STANDINGS