The Taipei Challenger concluded today, with Paris emerging as the tournament champion. Notably, the host team Taipei WanBao made it to the semifinals, where they faced and ultimately lost to the Parisians, who went on to win the tournament.
Reaching the quarterfinals were numerous teams — both favorites and newcomers — including Paris, Podgorica Kodio, Utrecht, Taipei WanBao, Partizan Meta Force, San Juan Church’s, Princeton, and Christchurch BBNZ. However, not everyone made it to the semifinals. Partizan Meta Force faced off against the aggressive and determined San Juan Church’s team, known for their defensive prowess. Beginning with a tight defense, they managed to hold off Partizan’s attacks, creating constant challenges for their ball-handling.
This allowed San Juan to gradually pull ahead, reaching an 8-point lead following Antonio Ralat’s basket with a foul and successful free throws. Frustrated, Partizan stepped up their game, but their shots stubbornly wouldn’t fall. In the end, San Juan claimed a confident 21:12 victory.
Despite the common belief that home teams often get favorable officiating, Taipei WanBao, led by Simeunovic, faced a superior Paris team who opened up a 7-point lead. Vladimir Dordevic’s emotions boiled over, resulting in a technical foul. The game seemed to be decided, but sensational long-range shots by Taipei sharpshooters Hsin-wei Wang and Vladimir Dordevic reignited the excitement, with Dordevic’s final long shot landing off the backboard with a foul.
Te Wei Cheng made a brilliant defensive play, blocking a key Paris shot under the basket. But Taipei couldn’t muster the energy for a final push, and Hugo Suhard, scoring his ninth point, clinched the game for Paris, 22:20.
Another intriguing match was San Juan against Princeton, with two teams from the Western Hemisphere competing for a place in the Taipei Challenger final. San Juan and Princeton were evenly matched throughout the game, tied at 18:18 with 25 seconds left as Princeton called a timeout.
Caruso’s extended drive gave Princeton the lead, but San Juan responded with a flawless play, leaving one player open under the basket. Shockingly, the shot missed, and Princeton, caught off guard, failed to secure the rebound, allowing San Juan to recover. Nevertheless, Damon Huffman led Princeton to the final with a buzzer-beater, 20:19 in favor of the American team.
The final then saw Paris face Princeton. Ranked second in the world, Paris faced the 11th-ranked Princeton, who hadn’t won a tournament in nearly six months and had a great chance to turn things around. Riding the momentum of their recent success, Harris and Caruso continued to hit shots, but Alex Vialaret’s efforts kept the Americans from gaining a significant lead, and he excelled defensively, blocking Harris’s shot. Determined, Harris repeatedly drove to the basket, but without enough team support, Princeton couldn’t keep up with Paris. The game ended with a well-deserved 21:14 victory for the French team.
Foto: FIBA 3×3
