【RECAP】3×3.EXE PREMIER 2025 WOMEN’S JAPAN ROUND.8 – TAKASAKI

Welcome to 3×3.EXE Premier Japan — Women’s Series.

Drama in Gunma: UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE Crowned Round 8 Champions, SANJO BEATERS.EXE Advance, FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE Eliminated

The final round of the 2025 3×3.EXE Premier Japan Women’s Series descended on Gunma with everything still to play for. Nine teams entered the day split into three pools of three, knowing that only four would advance to the semi-finals. With playoff spots on the line and seeding still to be decided, every possession carried weight and the stakes were as high as they had been all season.

UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE had already built a strong campaign but still needed to finish the job to claim the number one seed for the playoffs. FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE, meanwhile, faced a far more fragile position, their only route to Osaka was by winning Round 8 outright. SANJO BEATERS.EXE and ST-KASUMI.EXE also entered the day knowing their postseason hopes were delicately balanced, with every result capable of reshaping the final standings.

What followed was a showcase of the intensity that defines 3×3 basketball. From overtime battles in pool play to clutch shooting in the semi-finals, and finally a grand final that went down to the last possession, Round 8 in Gunma delivered a fitting climax to the regular season. By the end of the day, UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE celebrated both the Round 8 title and the top playoff seed, while SANJO BEATERS.EXE claimed survival. For FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE, however, heartbreak struck as their valiant run ended in elimination.

POOL A

• TAITO OWLS.EXE (6) – 365 EXE POINTS | 14% Winning% | 17.2 PPG
• ECHAKE-NA NOTO.EXE (6) – 365 EXE POINTS | 27% Winning% | 15.9 PPG
• TONO VALKYRIES.EXE (8) – 340 EXE POINTS | 0% Winning% | 13.1 PPG

MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Suga and Nishigishi Power TAITO OWLS.EXE Past ECHAKE-NA NOTO.EXE

The opening game of Round 8 in Gunma set the tone for a high-stakes day in the 3×3.EXE Premier Japan Women’s Series. With playoff implications hanging over every possession, both TAITO OWLS.EXE and ECHAKE-NA NOTO.EXE came out firing, trading baskets and defensive stops in a tightly contested clash. From the outset, it was clear neither side was willing to give an inch, and the physicality around the rim set the stage for a dramatic finish.

Midway through the second half, ECHAKE-NA NOTO.EXE began to claw their way back into the contest. Tomomi Ikeda’s composure at the free-throw line proved crucial, as she knocked down a pair of free throws to cut the margin to just three with a little over a minute remaining. That momentum shift gave ECHAKE-NA NOTO.EXE a glimmer of hope, energising their half-court defense as they looked to force a late turnover.

But TAITO OWLS.EXE had an answer. Running a perfectly timed pick-and-roll between Nozomi Suga and Chika Nishigishi, they broke through the defensive pressure to restore a five-point buffer. On the very next possession, Nishigishi showcased her hustle and composure, following up her own miss to score again and extend the lead to 20–15. That sequence of plays not only deflated ECHAKE-NA NOTO.EXE’s comeback push but also highlighted TAITO OWLS.EXE’s ability to execute under pressure.

From there, TAITO OWLS.EXE managed the clock with poise, closing out the contest to secure top spot in Pool A. Their balanced offensive approach, combined with timely plays from Suga and Nishigishi, set the tone for their run in Gunma and proved why they remain one of the toughest sides to break down when the stakes are highest.

POOL A SCORES

• Game 1 – TAITO OWLS.EXE (20) Def ECHAKE-NA NOTO.EXE (15)
• Game 2 – TAITO OWLS.EXE (18) Def TONO VALKYRIES.EXE (6)
• Game 3 – ECHAKE-NA NOTO.EXE (21) Def TONO VALKYRIES.EXE (11)

POOL A WINNER

TAITO OWLS.EXE

NOTABLE SCORERS

• Nozomi Suga (TAITO OWLS.EXE) – 6.7 PPG | 50% – 1PT FG%
• Ikeda Tomomi (ECHAKE-NA NOTO.EXE) – 7.5 PPG | 82% – 1PT FG%
• Sae Oyama (TONO VALKYRIES.EXE) – 2.5 PPG | 20% FG%

POOL B

• SANJO BEATERS.EXE (1) – 540 EXE POINTS | 68% Winning% | 19.0 PPG
• UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (2) – 520 EXE POINTS | 77% Winning% | 22.0 PPG
• TOKYO VERDY.EXE (4) – 430 EXE POINTS | 59% Winning% | 18.4 PPG

MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Last-Second Drama as SANJO BEATERS.EXE Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

The final matchup of Pool B carried some of the highest stakes of the entire round. For SANJO BEATERS.EXE, victory was non-negotiable: win and they kept control of their playoff destiny, lose and they would be forced to wait anxiously for other results to fall their way. For UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, the equation was just as clear. A win would put them firmly in the playoff picture, depending on their eventual finish in the top four. With so much riding on the outcome, the game unfolded with a level of intensity fitting of the occasion.

SANJO BEATERS.EXE, having dropped their opening game, entered this clash in a must-win scenario. They leaned heavily on Yunoka Takase, who shouldered the scoring load and battled for every look at the rim. UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE responded with balanced play through Kisa Yagi and Shinobu Yoshitake, matching Sanjo possession for possession. After nine minutes of play, the teams were locked in a dead heat, with neither side able to break free.

It was Takase who finally gave Sanjo the edge, muscling through traffic for a tough layup that put her team one point ahead with just over a minute remaining. The game tightened from there, as both sides ratcheted up the defensive pressure. Each possession became a battle of attrition, and when Yoshitake drove hard to the rim in the dying seconds, the ball was knocked out of bounds as the buzzer sounded. Officials convened and ruled that 0.3 seconds remained—just enough time for one last chance.

The inbound play found Yagi open on the wing, but her catch-and-shoot attempt sailed just wide, leaving Sanjo to claim a dramatic win. Despite the heartbreak, UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE still punched their ticket to the semi-finals, joining FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE in the last four. For SANJO BEATERS.EXE, however, the tension only mounted as they were left to watch the scoreboard and hope results elsewhere would secure their place in the playoffs.

POOL B SCORES

• Game 1 – TOKYO VERDY.EXE (20) Def SANJO BEATERS.EXE (15)
• Game 2 – UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (21) Def TOKYO VERDY.EXE (6)
• Game 3 – SANJO BEATERS.EXE (16) Def UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (15)

POOL B WINNER

UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE

NOTABLE SCORERS

• Kiri Endo (UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE) – 6.8 PPG | 53% – 1PT FG%
• Sakura Hisai (SANJO BEATERS.EXE) – 7.0 PPG | 46% FG%
• Rua Tsubouchi (TOKYO VERDY.EXE) – 6.5 PPG | 67% – 1PT FG%

POOL C

• FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE (3) – 500 EXE POINTS | 70% Winning% | 23.2 PPG
• ST-KASUMI.EXE (5) – 415 EXE POINTS | 56% Winning% | 20.1 PPG
• SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE (9) – 330 EXE POINTS | 43% Winning% | 17.9 PPG

MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Overtime Heroics Keep FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE Playoff Dream Alive

With playoff implications at their peak in the final round of 3×3.EXE Premier Japan, FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE entered Pool C knowing their path was simple: win Round 8 and they were in. Standing in their way was a resurgent ST-KASUMI.EXE squad brimming with confidence after their Round 7 title run. The stage was set for a pool game that would quickly become one of the most dramatic contests of the day.

ST-KASUMI.EXE wasted no time asserting control, fuelled by the scoring punch of Kanako Ohashi and Hiyori Kurakake. Their combination of perimeter shooting and relentless attacking gave them a commanding 15–7 advantage just five minutes in. Even as the game clock ticked under three minutes, ST-KASUMI.EXE looked in total control, leading 18–10 and appearing destined to advance from the pool.

But FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE refused to let their season slip away. Sparked by the relentless drive of Fuyuko Takahashi, the Gunma side unleashed a furious two-minute surge, outscoring ST-KASUMI.EXE 9–1. Takahashi accounted for eight of those points herself, including a fearless layup through heavy contact with just 1.5 seconds remaining to force overtime at 19–19. It was a stunning turnaround that reignited their playoff hopes and left the Gunma crowd in disbelief.

Overtime brought more drama, as both sides traded early layups. ST-KASUMI.EXE had the first chance to seal the win when Kana Fukumoto stepped to the line, but she missed both free throws under the weight of the moment. That opened the door once more for Takahashi, who attacked the rim with the same determination that had sparked the comeback. Her contested finish secured a 21–20 victory, booking FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE’s place in the semi-finals and keeping their playoff dreams alive.

POOL C SCORES

• Game 1 – FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE (21) Def ST-KASUMI.EXE (20)
• Game 2 – FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE (18) Def SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE (15)
• Game 3 – ST-KASUMI.EXE (16) Def SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE (15)

POOL C WINNER

FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE

NOTABLE SCORERS

• Fuyuko Takahashi (FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE) – 12.0 PPG | 45% FG%
• Rika Kurihara (SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE) – 7.0 PPG | 63% – 1PT FG%
• Ohashi Kanako (ST-KASUMI.EXE) – 5.7 PPG | 41%FG%

Semi Final 1

FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE vs ST KASUMI.EXE

Hard-Fought Semi-Final Sees FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE Outlast ST-KASUMI.EXE, 21–19

With FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE topping their pool and ST-KASUMI.EXE advancing as the highest-ranked second-place finisher, the semi-final in Gunma set up a high-stakes rematch of their earlier thriller. The tone was physical from the outset, with drives into contact and tight half-court defense defining the opening exchanges.

Fuyuko Takahashi struck first for FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE on the opening possession, and Misa Yokoi added a layup to build early rhythm. ST-KASUMI.EXE answered immediately through Kanako Ohashi and Kana Fukumoto, both finishing in traffic. Points were hard-earned across the first four minutes; Takahashi muscled in another score and Saya Isai added a strong post finish, while Fukumoto and Hiyori Kurakake kept ST-KASUMI.EXE in touch. FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE edged ahead 6–4.

As the pace lifted, FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE leaned on Takahashi’s downhill pressure for two more baskets, with Yokoi slicing to the rim to keep the scoreboard moving. ST-KASUMI.EXE countered through Ohashi’s midrange touch and Fukumoto’s rim pressure. The whistle grew frequent; by the midpoint both sides were in the bonus, and Fukumoto coolly sank two free throws to make it 9–8 to FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE.

Out of a timeout, Yokoi scored immediately for FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE, only for Ohashi to respond at the other end. Fukumoto then tied it at 11–11 from the line, before Takahashi drew contact and knocked down both free throws to restore a two-point cushion for FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE.

Down the stretch, FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE attacked the paint with purpose. Takahashi carved out two more inside scores and Isai added a vital finish to keep separation. ST-KASUMI.EXE would not yield, with Ohashi and Fukumoto answering in kind. With two minutes remaining, FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE held a 17–15 lead and the gym tightened.

Kurakake slashed to trim the margin to one, but Takahashi again delivered, finishing a tough left-handed layup through traffic. The physicality peaked when FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE were whistled for their 10th team foul, gifting ST-KASUMI.EXE two free throws and possession. Ohashi buried both to level it 18–18 and swing momentum.

Takahashi’s response was immediate: she drew a foul and calmly hit two more free throws to push FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE back in front. Ohashi scored with 12 seconds left to make it a one-point game, setting up a final possession where ST-KASUMI.EXE were forced to foul. Takahashi returned to the stripe and hit the first to reach 21, sealing a 21–19 victory for FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE.

It was a second hard-fought win on the day for FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE against a relentless ST-KASUMI.EXE. The result kept FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE’s playoff hopes alive and underlined Takahashi’s clutch shot-making and composure in a bruising, high-pressure semi-final.

FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE (21) Def ST-KASUMI.EXE (19)

Semi Final 2

UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE vs TAITO OWLS.EXE

Clutch Plays Lift UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE Past TAITO OWLS.EXE, 17–15

The second semi-final in Gunma brought together a desperate UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE side, needing victory to keep their playoff dreams alive, against a confident TAITO OWLS.EXE team determined to carry their pool form into the knockout stage. From the opening possession, it was clear this would be another bruising battle, with both teams playing with intensity and refusing to concede easy looks.

Kiri Endo opened the scoring for UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, but TAITO OWLS.EXE’s size quickly became a factor. Chika Nishigishi answered with a tough inside finish before adding another basket moments later. UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE struggled to find gaps against Taito’s length until Makoto Tanaka broke through from the free-throw line. The tone was set: every possession would require creativity and resilience.

As the game settled, both sides traded blows. Tanaka and Endo kept UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE moving, but TAITO OWLS.EXE responded with inside power through Kana Fukumoto and outside touch from Nozomi Suga. Back-to-back deep makes from Suga and Nishigishi pushed Taito in front, but UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE countered with Endo’s midrange jumper and Kisa Yagi’s free throw to tie the score once again. By the midpoint timeout, TAITO OWLS.EXE held a slim 10–9 lead.

The arm wrestle continued after the break. Tanaka converted for UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, only for Maya Isozaki to reply at the other end. Yagi then found space on the wing to bury a shot that swung momentum back to UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, before Endo added another midrange jumper to extend the run. Just as Uenohara looked poised to seize control, Suga earned a foul and completed a three-point play off the glass to level the scores at 13–13 with two minutes to play.

Momentum swung again when Isozaki drilled a deep two to reclaim the lead for TAITO OWLS.EXE. UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE refused to buckle, with Shinobu Yoshitake steady at the line and Yagi scoring once more to bring the game level. In the closing minute, Fukumoto’s jumper gave Taito another one-point advantage, but with the season hanging in the balance, Yoshitake forced her way to the rim, had her initial attempt blocked, and then recovered to finish the put-back and tie the game at 15–15.

The drama reached its peak in the final seconds. UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE forced a turnover with just four ticks on the clock, setting up a chance to win. Endo drove hard and finished through contact, but the buzzer sounded before she could release the ball. With no basket awarded, the semi-final was headed for overtime.

The extra period began nervously, with both teams missing early opportunities. Finally, Endo broke through with a determined drive to the rim, handing UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE the edge. TAITO OWLS.EXE had looks to answer but couldn’t convert under pressure. Sensing the moment, Yagi stepped up once again, finishing inside to deliver the decisive basket.

With the 17–15 overtime victory, UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE survived elimination and advanced to the Round 8 final. For TAITO OWLS.EXE, it was a heartbreaking end after a strong day of basketball, but UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE’s resilience under pressure kept their season alive and ensured a dramatic conclusion to the Gunma semi-finals.

UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (18) Def TAITO OWLS.EXE (16)

Round 8 Grand Final

UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE vs SANJO BEATERS.EXE

Heartbreak for FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE, Triumph for UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE and SANJO BEATERS.EXE

The stage for the Round 8 final in Gunma could not have been more dramatic. For UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, the pressure was partly eased; a place in the playoffs was already secured by reaching the final, with the only question being whether they would enter as the number one or number two seed. For FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE, however, everything was on the line. Victory would secure the top seed and their playoff berth. Defeat would drop them to third overall, with SANJO BEATERS.EXE snatching second place and the last remaining ticket to Osaka.

The game began at a furious pace. Kiri Endo opened the scoring for UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE before teammates Kisa Yagi, Shinobu Yoshitake, and Makoto Tanaka each added baskets within the first minute. FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE leaned heavily on Fuyuko Takahashi, who responded with two strong finishes through contact to keep her team in touch. Endo continued to drive UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE forward, but Takahashi’s relentless attack brought the score to 6–5, with the opening phase shaping into a duel between UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE’s balanced scoring and Takahashi’s individual brilliance.

Yagi stretched UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE’s lead with the first deep two of the game, and Yoshitake followed with a put-back score. FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE responded with crucial baskets from Saya Isai and Misa Yokoi, but another Yoshitake two-pointer extended UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE’s advantage to 10–6 after just three minutes. Endo and Yagi added back-to-back finishes in the paint to keep control, though Takahashi again shouldered the load for FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE, piling in three layups in quick succession to close the gap.

Even as Takahashi willed her team forward, Endo hit another two-pointer and Yoshitake answered inside to keep FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE chasing. A sharp pick-and-roll converted by Yokoi, followed by an exchange of baskets between Takahashi and Yoshitake, left the scoreboard at 15–11 in UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE’s favour with five minutes to play. The sense of urgency was palpable, with every possession carrying playoff weight.

The intensity only heightened after the timeout. Tanaka broke through once more for UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, but Takahashi nailed a mid-range jumper to cut the margin. Then came a massive momentum swing, Nami Nitta buried a deep two-pointer with three minutes left, bringing FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE within a single possession. Yoshitake’s tough layup steadied UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, before Tanaka followed with another inside finish to re-establish a four-point cushion.

But FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE refused to fold. Takahashi shook free at the top of the arc and drilled a wide-open two-pointer to make it 18–17. Moments later, Isai fought for a loose ball and converted inside, cutting the margin to one. With less than two minutes remaining and the top seed hanging in the balance, Yagi rose to the moment with a clutch two-pointer from the top, sending the UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE bench into celebration as they moved ahead 20–17.

Still, there was one last twist. A foul off the ball gave FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE free throws, and Isai calmly sank both to keep her team alive. With the game on the line, Yokoi drew a foul with 20 seconds left and went to the stripe with a chance to win it outright for FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE. The tension was unbearable, but both attempts rattled out, leaving the door open for UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE.

On the final possession, Yagi drove hard and drew the defense, kicking the ball to a wide-open Endo. Without hesitation, Endo knocked down the decisive basket to seal a 21–19 victory for UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE. The win not only crowned them Round 8 champions but also locked up the number one seed heading into the 3×3.EXE Premier playoffs. For FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE, the heartbreak was crushing, despite two inspired wins earlier in the day, their defeat dropped them to third overall, ending their playoff dream as SANJO BEATERS.EXE advanced in their place.

UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (21) Def FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE (19)

MVP Shinobu Yoshitake (UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE)

5.5 PPG | 50% 2PT FG | 61% FG

In a round defined by pressure moments and playoff implications, Shinobu Yoshitake stood out as the steadying force for UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE. Averaging 5.5 points per game on an efficient 61% shooting from the field, Yoshitake delivered consistently in the paint while also showing her composure from mid-range. Her ability to finish through contact and convert second-chance opportunities was a key factor in UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE’s march through the semi-final and grand final.

Beyond the numbers, Yoshitake’s timing was impeccable. Every time UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE needed a basket to halt an opponent’s run or regain momentum, she found a way to deliver. Her clutch put-back in the dying minutes of the semi-final kept her team alive, and her defensive presence helped absorb FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE’s relentless pressure in the final. By anchoring both ends of the floor, Yoshitake ensured UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE not only claimed the Round 8 title but also secured the number one seed heading into the 3×3.EXE Premier playoffs.

Final Standings

Links

FIBA 3×3 Event Page	FIBA 3×3 Event Link
YouTube Link	Youtube Link – Women’s
3×3.EXE Standings	3×3.EXE Standings
3×3.EXE Schedule	3×3.EXE Schedule

Written by Andrew Cannings