The prestigious Macau Masters 2024 kicked off with surprises today. One of the day’s biggest shocks came when DeMarcus Cousins was ejected after his first game. Frustrated by the intensity of play, the former NBA star got into a heated exchange with the referees, earning a disqualification. Surprisingly, however, even without “Boogie” on the court, his team Wuxi WenLv held their own in their next game. Meanwhile, the top-ranked Serbian team Ub Huishan looked exhausted as they struggled to edge out their opponents.
Serbia vs. Japan: A Tough Challenge
Although many expected the tournament favorites to dominate, the day unfolded with unexpected twists. Partizan Meta Force faced a tough challenge from Saitama ALPHAS EXE, one of Japan’s most decorated teams. Saitama quickly built a 6-point lead, establishing a comfortable rhythm behind the daring play of Ryo Ozawa. In response, Partizan focused on inside play, leaning heavily on Milos Supica, who scored 9 points. Stefan Milivojevic came alive in the second half, helping Partizan hand Saitama its first loss of the tournament, winning 21-18.
However, Partizan’s second match against Liman proved difficult. Fatigued from the earlier game, the Belgrade team couldn’t find their rhythm against a flawless Liman. Liman secured a decisive 21-11 victory, marking the day’s biggest point margin and sending a strong message as they climb higher in the rankings.
Saitama’s only path out of the group stage required a victory over Liman, whom they had never faced before. Given Liman’s 76% win rate compared to Saitama’s 36%, the challenge was formidable. Ultimately, no miracle occurred, and the Serbian team emerged victorious, with Mihailo Vasic scoring 8 points.
A Fatigued Leader
The reigning world No. 1 team, Ub Huishan, gave fans reason to worry. They looked tired during their match against Kandava from Latvia, struggling to convert shots and suffering from unforced turnovers. Kandava came close to tying the score in the final minute but missed open long-range attempts. Ub narrowly secured a 19-16 victory.
In their second game against San Juan, Ub continued to struggle to find their rhythm. The Puerto Rican side applied pressure on both ends, producing two spectacular blocks that lit up the game. However, the experienced Serbian squad remained focused and scraped through with a 21-19 win. Strahinja Stojacic led Ub with 12 points, proving pivotal to their hard-fought victory.
Boogie Loses His Cool
Fans eagerly awaited DeMarcus Cousins in Wuxi’s game against Riffa, a team that had already secured three FIBA 3×3 titles this year. Cousins started strong, scoring 4 consecutive points while showcasing his technical skills, conserving energy for the long haul. However, when Wuxi’s 6-point lead evaporated, Cousins switched to a more physical style of play.
With two minutes left, Riffa regained the lead, going up by 4 points. Cousins managed to hit a difficult long-range shot but lost his position on defense, committing a crucial foul. Frustrated, the former NBA center directed harsh criticism toward a female referee and exited the game before the final whistle. Although it was an unpleasant scene, it highlighted the drama that makes Cousins’ games memorable and entertaining.
In their second match, Wuxi took the court without Cousins. Many expected Princeton to cruise to an easy win, but without their star, Wuxi’s play became harder to predict. The absence of a focal point allowed three different players to contribute effectively on offense. Despite their efforts, fatigue caught up with them in the final minutes, allowing Princeton to take advantage of better scoring opportunities. Serbian Wuxi player Vuk Borovićanin scored 8 points, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a narrow defeat, as Princeton triumphed by just 3 points.
Quarterfinal Pairings for the Macau Masters
- Ub Huishan vs. St. Pauli
- Liman vs. Riffa
- Princeton vs. Partizan Meta Force
- Paris vs. San Juan Church’s
Foto: FIBA 3×3
