Team Hamamatsu, Japan has been crowned champions of the '3x3 Road to Mexico' that concluded a short while ago at the Ambience Mall in Gurugram. As winners, apart from a cash prize of INR 4,00,000/- Hamamatsu have won an all expenses paid trip to participate in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour – Mexico City from 30th September to 1st October 2017.
The tournament was organized by YKBK Enterprise Pvt Ltd, as a showcase event for the international 3x3 Pro Basketball League '3BL' that is slated to launch in India next year.
Final – Hamamatsu bt Yokohama 20-19
The final game of the tournament lived up to the glamour and excitement that has been served up by the tournament over the last two days, with Hamamatsu prevailing 20 – 19. The game began in spectacular fashion, with Palpreet Singh hitting two 3 pointers in the first minute and a half. Kiran Shastri kept the momentum going and he was doing it all in the game, knocking down threes and hustling relentlessly. Despite their efforts, Yokohama was leading 15 – 14 when Chris Brown knocked down a dagger from beyond the arc to extend the lead to three points. Then Hamamatsu took over again: Kiran Shastri backed down against his defender and scored over him, before Inderbir tied the game up with a 2-pointer. Things went awry when the ref called a technical, allowing Yokohama to go up 19 – 18. But Bikramjit took the lead with an and-1 play, and Hamamatsu managed to hold on to the lead to take the title.
Semi-final 1–Hamamatsu bt Tsukuba 21 – 16
Hamamatsu beat Tsukuba in a competitive semifinal that ended 21 – 14. Tsukuba started the game well, playing aggressively. On the first few possessions, they used their speed to beat Hamamatsu's big men to the basket, and Hamamatsu struggled to keep up with Tsukuba's guards. Eventually, Palpreet got Hamamatsu going with a couple of blocks and dunks. The momentum started to shift and Hamamatsu began to impose themselves on the game. Kiran Shastri continued his marvelous shooting form in the tournament, and Bikram finished the game off strong at the rim.
Quarter-final 1 - Hamamatsu v Sri Lanka President's Team 21-17
Hamamatsu beat Sri Lanka 21 – 17 in the first quarter final of the day. Palpreet Singh Brar got off to a quick start, knocking down a 3 and making a block at the three point line. But Sri Lanka continued their gutsy showing from last night and clawed back. Both teams had raced to 11 - 9 after only 3 minutes, and Hamamatsu's narrow lead looked vulnerable. But Kiran Shastri put on another shooting clinic from beyond the arc, allowing Inderbir Singh Gill to drive to the basket and draw the defense, before kicking the ball out for the open shot. Sri Lanka was in the game right till the end, only trailing by 18-17 with 4 minutes left. But Shastri's shooting proved to be the difference as Hamamatsu booked their place in the semi-finals.
