3×3.EXE Super Premier Thailand – Stop 2- Finals day Recap

The second day of the 3×3.EXE Super Premier Vietnam delivered high-intensity matchups, fierce competition, and standout performances as teams battled for a spot in the semi-finals. With physical play, strategic execution, and clutch moments, these quarter-final games set the stage for an electrifying finish to the round.

Quarter-Finals Recap

Quarter-Final 1: Alphas.EXE 21, Beefman.EXE 5

In an all-Japanese showdown, Alphas.EXE asserted their dominance with a commanding victory over Beefman.EXE. The opening minutes hinted at a close contest until Ryo of Alphas.EXE suffer an potential ankle tweak while contesting a drive from Shimizu (Beefman.EXE).

With this, Beefman.EXE saw an opportunity, led by Ita Yamato, tried to keep the intensity high and maintained strong defensive pressure. However, fatigue set in and Ryo shaking of the injury saw Alphas.EXE capitalized and go on an 8-2 scoring run, with Jan Demsar leading the charge. By the time Beefman.EXE managed a response, Alphas.EXE had already sealed the game with an 8-0 closing run, advancing convincingly to the semi-finals.

Key Performers:

Ita Yamato (Beefman.EXE): 5 rebounds, 1 point, 1 block
Jan Demsar (Alphas.EXE): 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks

Quarter-Final 2: Lausanne 22, Shoot It Dragons.EXE 13

After two physically demanding games, Lausanne entered the quarter-finals determined to improve on their Round 1 result. Standing in their way was a Shoot It Dragons.EXE squad backed by a passionate home crowd and Accheaus Fields, one of the most dynamic 1v1 players in the competition.

Recognising the challenge, Przemyslaw Zamojski took control early, lighting up the scoreboard with six of Lausanne’s first seven points en route to a game-high 12 points. Fields and Kareem Jackson (8 points, 8 rebounds) did their best to keep Shoot It Dragons.EXE in the fight, but Lausanne’s balanced attack proved too difficult to contain.

With their inside-out game firing on all cylinders, Lausanne pulled away in the latter stages, setting up a Round 1 rematch against Alphas.EXE in the semi-finals.

Key Performers:

Przemyslaw Zamojski (Lausanne): 12 points, 2 assists
Accheaus Fields (Shoot It Dragons.EXE): 6 points, 2 steals

Quarter-Final 3: Hangzhou 21, Nunawading Sentinels Red.EXE 8

The most physical matchup of the day saw Hangzhou square off against Nunawading Sentinels Red.EXE in a bruising battle. Defense took center stage in the opening minutes, with both teams struggling to find a rhythm as the score sat at 4-2 after four minutes.

Then, the offensive floodgates opened. A beautifully executed pick-and-roll saw Milan Kovacevic find Goran Vidovic under the basket, followed by a sharp kick-out pass from Filip Kaluderovic leading to a 2-pointer.

Despite their deficit, Nunawading Sentinels Red.EXE refused to fold, with Eric Miraflores and Jake Afoa pushing to spark a rally. However, Hangzhou’s experience and superior size proved too much, sealing a dominant 21-8 victory and booking their place in the semi-finals.

Key Performers:

Aleksandar Lazic (Hangzhou): 7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Jake Afoa (Nunawading Sentinels Red.EXE): 6 points, 6 rebounds

Quarter-Final 4: Brisbane City Blue.EXE 22, Hachinohe Dime.EXE 14

In the final quarter-final, Brisbane City Blue.EXE’s size and versatility went head-to-head with the speed and relentless speed of Hachinohe Dime.EXE. From the outset, Brisbane City Blue.EXE’s game plan was clear—establish dominance inside. The strategy paid off as they built an early 7-3 lead.

Hachinohe Dime.EXE responded through Chichiro Sawahashira, whose clutch off-balance two-pointer, followed by a Mie Birisbe layup, cut the deficit to just one.

But then came Griffin Biwer. The Round 2 substitution showcased his full skill set, recording 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks, anchoring Brisbane’s defense while dominating in the paint. His key defensive stops and finishing touch inside helped Brisbane City Blue.EXE secure their second straight semi-final appearance.

Key Performers:

Griffin Biwer (Brisbane City Blue.EXE): 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks
Chichiro Sawahashira (Hachinohe Dime.EXE): 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals

Semi-Final 1: Alphas.EXE 18, Lausanne 16

A rematch of the Round 1 quarter-final blockbuster between Alphas.EXE and Lausanne promised another thrilling chapter in their growing rivalry—and it delivered in dramatic fashion.

It took over a minute for the first basket to drop, with a late closeout by Gilles Martin (Lausanne) on Ryo Ozawa (Alphas.EXE) opening the scoring. This set the tone for a game defined by physicality, defensive intensity, and clutch shot-making.

For the next three minutes, neither team gave an inch, with only a corner two-pointer from Martin and a step-back jumper by Ozawa breaking the defensive deadlock, leaving the score at 4-3 with six minutes remaining.

As fatigue set in from the relentless pressure, the offense finally found its rhythm. Both teams traded baskets inside, signaling that the game was about to open up. With Przemyslaw Zamojski locked down by Alphas.EXE and Ryo Ozawa heavily overplayed by Lausanne, the battle shifted to the team leaders—Devin “Captain Clutch” Gilligan (9 points) and The Titan of Lausanne, Wes Molteni (7 points)—to take control.

Alphas.EXE edged ahead, 14-11, with just over a minute left when Gilles Martin drove inside and kicked it out to a wide-open Wes Molteni on the wing. Nothing but net. The lead shrank to 14-13.

On the next possession, Gilligan, despite tight defense from Molteni, drilled a huge two-pointer, restoring a three-point cushion. Lausanne responded instantly, finding Andrew Kelly under the basket for an easy score.

With the game hanging in the balance, defensive intensity surged, and neither team found a clear look—until Molteni stepped back from the 45 under pressure, draining a clutch two-pointer to tie the game at 16-16 with just 10 seconds remaining.

It all came down to the final play. Gilligan attacked the collapsing defense, drawing both Gilles Martin and Przemyslaw Zamojski toward him. With no hesitation, he made the right read, kicking the ball to Jan Demsar in the corner. With the game on the line, the Slovenian Sledgehammer delivered the knockout blow—nothing but net.

For the second straight round, Alphas.EXE shattered Lausanne’s hopes, securing their place in the final in another heartbreaking defeat for the Swiss side.

Key Performers:

Devin Gilligan (Alphas.EXE): 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals
Wes Molteni (Lausanne): 7 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks

Semi-Final 2: Hangzhou 17, Brisbane City Blue.EXE 13

The second semi-final was a highly anticipated rematch of the Round 1 semi-final, with Brisbane City Blue.EXE determined to flip the script and avenge their previous defeat against Hangzhou.

Two minutes into the game, both teams had settled into a comfortable rhythm, locked at 4-4, when Milan Kovacevic (Hangzhou) took on Griffin Biwer (Brisbane City Blue.EXE) in a 1v1 drive to the rim. Kovacevic managed to get Biwer in the air but landed awkwardly, tweaking his ankle in the process. With their leading rebounder injured, Hangzhou found themselves in a difficult situation, forced to navigate the rest of the semi-final with only three players and no substitutions.

Rather than falter, Hangzhou’s resilience only grew stronger. Their defensive intensity suffocated Brisbane City Blue.EXE, forcing tough shots and contesting every possession. Over the next four and a half minutes, Brisbane struggled to generate offense, managing only three points, while Hangzhou steadily built their lead.

Biwer, battling through adversity, continued to be a force on the defensive end. He met Aleksandar Lazic at the rim for what was undoubtedly one of the highlight blocks of the tournament, injecting life into Brisbane’s comeback hopes.

Following a timeout and a quick water break, Hangzhou, already feeling the effects of Vietnam’s humidity while playing short-handed, began to show signs of fatigue. Brisbane City Blue.EXE capitalized, launching a small scoring run, only to have a sideline violation halt their momentum—negating a crucial two-pointer that would have cut the deficit to just three points.

Despite a few late buckets from Brisbane City Blue.EXE, Hangzhou’s unwavering defense and determination proved too much. They closed out the game, securing a hard-fought victory and booking their spot in the 3×3.EXE Super Premier Round 2 final—where they will meet Alphas.EXE in another highly anticipated rematch.

Key Performers:

Filip Kaluderovic (Hangzhou): 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist
Griffin Biwer (Brisbane City Blue.EXE): 5 points, 11 rebounds, 1 block

Grand Final: Hangzhou 21, Alphas.EXE 17

After a thrilling Round 1 final that saw Alphas.EXE edge out Hangzhou, the stage was set for another high-stakes rematch—this time with a World Tour spot and the #1 seed for the 3×3.EXE Super Premier Final in Hachinohe, Japan on the line.

Hangzhou entered the final short-handed, with Milan Kovacevic sidelined due to injury, forcing them to battle through with just three players and no substitutions. Understanding the significance of the moment, Filip Kaluderovic came out firing, shouldering the offensive load from the outset. Drilling deep shots on Hangzhou’s first two possessions, he set the tone for what would be a determined effort. Aleksandar Lazic joined the action, knocking down a two-pointer of his own, propelling Hangzhou to an early 6-2 lead.

Alphas.EXE refused to go away. Their signature defensive tenacity and physical drives to the hoop kept them within striking distance, grinding the score back to 12-9 at the five-minute mark.

Sensing the momentum shift, Hangzhou responded. A heavily contested putback by Kaluderovic, followed by a wide-open two-pointer from Lazic, stretched the lead to six points. With zero subs and victory in sight, Hangzhou looked to have the game firmly in control at 18-10.

Then, disaster nearly struck. Kaluderovic took an unintentional elbow, briefly slowing Hangzhou’s charge. Sensing an opportunity, Alphas.EXE pounced—Jan Demsar connected on multiple clutch shots, while Suzuki and Devin Gilligan attacked the rim, sparking a 6-1 run that suddenly made it a 20-17 game.

The possibility of another miraculous Alphas.EXE comeback loomed large, reminiscent of their Round 1 escape against Lausanne. But as Ryo Ozawa fought over a screen, he was whistled for a crucial foul, sending Lazic to the free-throw line with two shots—needing only one to clinch the title.

His first attempt rattled out, momentarily freezing the crowd. Could history repeat itself? Lazic took a deep breath, gathered himself, and calmly sank the second, sealing Hangzhou’s victory and securing the top seed for the 3×3.EXE Super Premier Final in Japan.

Key Performers:

Filip Kaluderovic (Hangzhou): 13 points, 5 rebounds
Jan Demsar (Alphas.EXE): 6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal

Conclusion & Road to 3×3.EXE Super Premier Final 2025

With Hangzhou’s victory over Alphas.EXE, they secured the #1 seed for the 3×3.EXE Super Premier Final in Hachinohe, Japan. Their ability to overcome adversity, playing without a substitute, showcased their resilience and determination—a crucial factor as they now turn their focus to the biggest stage of the competition.

For Alphas.EXE, the loss will sting, but their consistent performances across both rounds confirm their status as a legitimate championship contender. With elite defensive intensity and clutch shot-making, they remain a major threat in Japan.

As the 3×3.EXE Super Premier Final approaches, the battle for supremacy is far from over. With the world’s top teams converging on Hachinohe, expect another high-stakes showdown where only one team will emerge as the ultimate champion. Can Hangzhou maintain their momentum? Will Alphas.EXE get their revenge? Or will another contender rise to the occasion?

The road to Japan is set. The biggest prize awaits