The prestigious Macau Masters 2024 has come to an end, with Ub Huishan from Serbia emerging as the champion after defeating Paris in the final. Riffa and Partizan Meta Force secured third and fourth places, respectively. The tournament was highly unpredictable, with sudden twists of fortune.
In one of the most densely populated areas in the world, the competition gathered the top representatives of 3×3 basketball. Out of the eight teams that reached the final stage of the Macau Masters 2024, three were from Serbia.
Ub, led by the world’s best-ranked players, began the second day of the tournament against St. Pauli from Germany. It was the No. 1 team in the world versus the No. 22. Ub started the game actively, with Fabian Giessmann resisting under the rim and Denzel Agyeman shooting from distance. St. Pauli managed to take the lead twice, but they couldn’t withstand Ub’s pressure. Dejan Majstorovic even found time to test the microphone at the scorer’s table, demonstrating his confidence. The final score of 20:15 confirmed Ub’s dominance over the German team.
In the second quarterfinal, Liman from Serbia faced the strong Riffa team, which had defeated Wuxi WenLv led by DeMarcus Cousins the day before. Riffa, ranked 10th, took on 5th-ranked Liman, who was missing their star player Stefan Kojic.
Riffa displayed excellent teamwork and prepared better for long-range shots. The game turned six minutes before the end when Dennis Donkor hit a three-point play, giving Riffa a four-point lead. Marko Stevanovic missed two free throws, allowing Riffa to play more freely. Donkor’s impressive long-range shooting sealed a confident 22:14 victory for Riffa.
USA Faces Serbia
The most balanced matchup came between Princeton from the USA and Partizan Meta Force from Serbia, ranked 12th and 8th, respectively. It was their fifth encounter, with Princeton winning only once before. Despite being higher in the standings, Partizan’s performance the previous day was not up to expectations.
Partizan committed four fouls within the first 90 seconds, limiting their defensive efforts. The game remained scrappy for more than five minutes until Princeton’s long-range shooters added excitement. Bogdan Dragovic responded with a deep three-pointer, but Partizan’s struggles on the boards allowed Princeton to tie the game with 20 seconds left. In a crucial moment, the “Gladiator” stepped up and secured a 21:19 victory for Partizan.
Final Stretch Reveals the Finalists
In the semifinals, Riffa faced Ub, bringing strong shooting form after Thibaut Vervoort set a three-point contest record by missing only three shots. However, two accurate three-pointers from Marko Brankovic and a quick assist to Dejan Majstorovic allowed Ub to take the lead. “Doctor Strange” (Majstorovic) capitalized on mistakes, scoring from the free-throw line and delivering a signature reverse dunk. Nemanja Barać added power inside with scoring and blocks, leading Ub to a 21:15 victory.
The semifinal matchup between Partizan Meta Force and Paris was crucial for the Belgrade team. They looked to build on their recent win and reach the final. Partizan quickly fed Milos Supica in the post, who efficiently scored points. Paris responded with long-range shots and cut through Partizan’s defense with a stunning alley-oop.
However, Partizan’s lack of perimeter defense allowed Paris to pull ahead by eight points. A few successful attacks reignited hope for the “Gladiator’s” team, but a series of fouls limited their chances. Frustrated with the officiating, Stefan Milivojevic received a technical foul, sealing Partizan’s fate and sending Paris to the final.
Ub Huishan vs. Paris: The Grand Finale
In the final, Ub Huishan faced Paris. Ub entered the game with confidence, having won a tournament in Amsterdam just two weeks earlier and finishing in the top three in eight consecutive events. Paris, on the other hand, had a less consistent track record and came into the game as underdogs.
Both teams began with a flurry of long-range shots, but Ub’s aggressive and precise play gave them a five-point lead. Paris grew more confident, tying the game at 10:10 midway through. However, Ub’s efficient pick-and-roll plays and accurate shooting proved decisive.
Ub claimed their second consecutive FIBA 3×3 Masters title, with “Doctor Strange” awarded the tournament’s MVP.
Foto: FIBA 3×3
