3×3.EXE Super Premier Round 1, the first major 3×3 tournament of 2025, kicked off in Vietnam at the Canadian International School. Featuring top teams from Japan, Australia, Vietnam, and Thailand – including returning 3×3.EXE Super Premier champions Lausanne and the experienced Hangzhou squad – the event promised high-octane entertainment.
Pool A Results:
- Lausanne defeated Beefman.EXE: 22–8
- Beefman.EXE defeated Tokyo Dime.EXE: 22–12
- Lausanne defeated Tokyo Dime.EXE: 21–16
Lausanne showcased their championship pedigree by dominating both pool games, reaffirming their status as favourites to repeat in 2025. The team posted an impressive 57% shooting accuracy across the two contests, with Bubas and Zamojski combining for 33 of the team’s 43 points. Wes Molteni also contributed with 10 assists over the course of the games.
Meanwhile, following an impressive 3×3.EXE Premier season, Beefman.EXE continued to demonstrate their form in a hard-fought clash against Tokyo Dime. When Beefman.EXE get hot, they are nearly unstoppable. Tashuito Noro led the charge with the tournament’s highest individual scoring output, registering 14 points on 78% shooting (including 67% from two-point range). Their stifling defence forced 9 turnovers, securing second place in the pool and advancing the team to Day 2.
Pool B Results:
- Hangzhou defeated Minikami.EXE: 22–10
- Hachinohe Dime.EXE defeated Minikami.EXE: W-L
- Hangzhou defeated Hachinohe Dime.EXE: 21–8
In the opening game of Pool B, Hangzhou faced off against Minikami.EXE. The second invitational team showcased its depth and experience right from the tip-off, outshooting Minikami.EXE 52% to 32% and dominating the boards with a 21–10 advantage, including a striking 9 offensive rebounds. However, the contest took a dramatic turn when the game was all but done when Minikami.EXE’s #5, Kento Kusaka, suffered an injury after an inadvertent elbow to the eye. With Kusaka ruled out for the remainder of the tournament, Minikami.EXE was forced to finish the game shorthanded—and subsequently had to forfeit their next matchup.
With fresh legs and only one game remaining, Hachinohe Dime.EXE took on Hangzhou in a pivotal battle for the top spot in the pool. Hangzhou once again demonstrated why they are a formidable force in the 3×3.EXE Super Premier series, using stifling defence to force 10 turnovers and limit Hachinohe to just 30% shooting. Hangzhou cruised to an 21–8 victory, with Milan Kovacevic leading the charge by scoring 8 points on 55% shooting and grabbing 13 rebounds.
Pool C Results:
- Alphas.EXE defeated Simon.EXE: 19–13
- Brisbane City Blue.EXE defeated Simon.EXE: 15–9
- Brisbane City Blue.EXE defeated Alphas.EXE: 21–11
Pool C delivered its fair share of drama and determination. Brisbane City Blue.EXE, eager to bounce back after last September’s semifinal loss, made their mark in two decisive contests. In their opening match, Brisbane City Blue.EXE edged past Simon 15–9, with Ben Vollkman leading the effort by scoring 7 points and pulling down 8 rebounds while battling Simon.EXE’s imposing twin towers, Keita and Harry.
In their subsequent outing, Brisbane City Blue.EXE squared off against the Japanese side Alphas.EXE. The team dominated from the outset, outshooting Alphas 70% to 19% and cruising to a 21–11 victory. Brendan Teys stood out from downtown, hitting 3-of-4 shots from deep to notch a game-high 11 points.
Meanwhile, the battle between Japanese rivals saw Alphas.EXE overcome Simon 19–13. Devin “Captain Clutch” Gilligan shone in this closely contested match, pouring in 11 points on an efficient 10-of-13 shooting clip, along with 4 rebounds, 6 offensive boards, and 2 blocks, ensuring his team secured the win and advance to day 2.
Pool D Results:
- Saigon Heat.EXE defeated Shoot it Dragons.EXE: 21–13
- Shoot it Dragons.EXE defeated Nunawading Red.EXE: 21–15
- Nunawading Red.EXE defeated Saigon.EXE: 21–10
Pool D delivered a thrilling three-way tie. Hosts Saigon Heat.EXE set the tone in their matchup against Shoot It Dragons.EXE, coming out firing on all cylinders. In a hard-fought battle marked by 17 fouls and 40 rebounds between the two squads, Denhym Brooke shone brightly with 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal, propelling Saigon Heat.EXEto a convincing 21–13 win.
In the second contest, Nunawading Red.EXE looked to kick off their campaign on a high note against Shoot It Dragons.EXE. The game was a back-and-forth affair early on, with multiple lead changes. Zach Mckenzie did everything he could to keep his team in the hunt—racking up 6 rebounds and 4 assists. However, Accheaus Fields had other ideas and took charge in the closing stages, nailing consecutive 2-point buckets to finish as the game’s top scorer with 8 points, and helping Shoot It Dragons.EXE secure a 21–15 victory.
The final showdown of Pool D proved to be a must-win for Nunawading Red.EXE. Needing either to score 21 points or beat Saigon by at least 7 to advance, they rose to the challenge and managed both. Led once again by Mckenzie, who contributed 10 points and 7 rebounds, Nunawading Red.EXE also managed to keep Saigon Heat.EXE’s towering force, Faredj Messaoudi, well-contained. With Saigon Heat.EXE unable to maintain their early momentum from game 1, Nunawading Red.EXE cruised to a decisive 21–10 win, toping the pool’s three-way tie and setting the stage for an intriguing next round.
https://play.fiba3x3.com/events/ff34a28e-d1e9-4473-92de-4f0530fb9b3a
https://3x3exe.com/superpremier/r1_result/