Welcome to 3x3.EXE Premier Japan — Women’s Series.
Round 4 Group 3 - Chiba
The 3x3.EXE Premier Japan Women’s Series continues to build momentum with elite athletes, sharp team chemistry, and a rapidly growing fanbase. As each round unfolds, we’re seeing distinct play styles, strategic versatility, and players who are defining the rhythm and energy of the league.
With new teams entering the spotlight and veterans raising the bar, every game is a chance to witness something special — from smart defensive switches to momentum-shifting two-pointers and clutch finishes.
Round 2 tipped off in Tokyo, with FLOWLISH GUNMA.EXE, SANJO BEATERS.EXE, and TONO VALKYRIES.EXE battling it out in Group 1 action.
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Group 1 Teams
- SANJO BEATERS.EXE - 190 EXE POINTS | 50% Winning% | 16.6 PPG
- SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE - 160 EXE POINTS | 29% Winning% | 10.6 PPG
- ST-KASUMI.EXE - 165 EXE POINTS | 50% Winning% | 15.0 PPG
GAME 1
SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE vs ST-KASUMI.EXE
SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE arrived in Round 4 still searching for their first win of the season, while ST-KASUMI.EXE aimed to rediscover the form that carried them to the top of Round 2. Both teams knew that a strong start would be crucial in the tight Group 3 standings.
On the opening possession, Akie Maruyama beat the buzzer with a driving layup for ST-KASUMI.EXE to open the scoring for the day, only to see Rika Kurihara immediately drain an off-balance two in response. That quick reply set the tone for SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE’s aggressive mindset.
Megumi Yamazawa scored on SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE’s next trip, and Kurihara sank another two to push SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE to a 5–1 lead inside the first minute. Thirty seconds later, Kurihara struck again before Mizuki Kamiya bullied her way in for a layup. SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE was in complete.
ST-KASUMI.EXE refused to back down and continued to try and fight. Maruyama powered past her defender for her team’s second basket, but Kamiya responded with a sweet dish back to Kurihara, continuing the early momentum firmly to SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE.
By the mid-game timeout, SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE’s crisp ball movement and unselfish cuts had built a commanding 12–3 advantage. Coming out of the break, Hiyori Kurakake traded baskets with Yamazawa, only for Yamazawa to beat the shot clock on her next chance with a huge two that pushed the lead back out to 12 with three minutes remaining. SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE’s confidence was palpable.
ST-KASUMI.EXE battled on through a Ohashi Kanaka two point basket, but Niina Ishida answered straight away with back-to-back layups. In the final minute, Kanako and Maruyama each buried deep shots for ST-KASUMI.EXE to keep the score respectable, yet SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE were able to run out the clock to claim an 18–10 victory thanks in large to their red-hot start.
SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE (18) Def ST-KASUMI.EXE (10)
GAME 2
SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE vs SANJO BEATERS.EXE
SANJO BEATERS.EXE took the court for the second game of the day in Tokyo Bay looking to build on their Round 3 finals run, while SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE arrived brimming with confidence after snaring their first win in Game 1. Both teams knew a victory here would shift the momentum in Group 3 and set the stage for the final matchup of the day.
From the opening tap, Yumi Takakuwa attacked for SANJO BEATERS.EXE, slicing through traffic to score on their first possession. SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE answered when Mizuki Kamiya drained a mid-range two from the top of the key, only for Momoko Fukuda to rip through the defense and pound in a layup to keep SANJO BEATERS.EXE ahead.
Over the next sixty seconds, Takakuwa continued her battle inside for SANJO BEATERS.EXE against Kamiya and Megumi Yamazawa, with all three players converting tough paint buckets. Takakuwa then stepped back for her first long two of the game and followed up with a jumper from the elbow, giving SANJO BEATERS.EXE a slender edge.
Niina Ishida flashed her versatility for SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE, beating her defender to the rim for a finish, then dished to Rika Kurihara for an open under-basket score. A stroke of fortune fell SHINSHU SAKU REGIONS.EXE’s way when Rika Ishikura corralled a loose rebound for an easy single, tying the game again.
Kamiya then muscled through contact for a tough layup and calmly sank two free throws to hand SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE their first lead. That advantage proved short-lived, as Takakuwa knocked down a corner two to send SANJO BEATERS.EXE back in front.
With the score knotted at 10–10, Kurihara seized a loose ball and scored to give SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE a brief lead. SANJO BEATERS.EXE reclaimed control through Ishikura’s free throws and Fukuda’s charity stripe, then expanded their lead when Takakuwa and Kamiya traded baskets before Ishikura and Takakuwa combined for a quick four-point burst.
SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE refused to wilt. Kurihara battled through traffic for a vital layup, but Takakuwa answered with a contested two that forced SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE to call timeout down 17–14 with two minutes remaining.
Out of the timeout, Takakuwa took over, knocking down a wide-open two, finishing a layup in traffic, and calmly hitting a free throw to complete a 4–0 run. Her 15-point outburst sealed a 21–14 victory for SANJO BEATERS.EXE and kept their Group 3 hopes very much alive.
SANJO BEATERS.EXE (21) Def SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE (14)
GAME 3
ST-KASUMI.EXE vs SANJO BEATERS.EXE
The day’s final matchup featured ST-KASUMI.EXE who were determined to prove they still belonged at the top and SANJO BEATERS.EXE, riding high after their earlier win. With both teams eager to finish on a high note in Group 3, every possession carried extra weight under the Tokyo Bay lights.
Akie Maruyama opened the scoring for ST-KASUMI.EXE with a buzzer-beating layup on the first possession. Aware of SANJO BEATERS.EXE’s danger from their previous game, ST-KASUMI.EXE smothered Yumi Takakuwa on the next trip, forcing a tough miss before Shoji Mikino powered in ST-KASUMI.EXE’s second basket. SANJO BEATERS.EXE finally got on the board through Akari Takeuchi’s tough, contact-heavy layup after ninety seconds.
The early minutes set a physical tone. Maruyama added another basket and Ohashi Kanako drilled a two, giving ST-KASUMI.EXE an early edge as SANJO BEATERS.EXE searched for rhythm. Momoko Fukuda clawed back a point with a strong, in-traffic layup, but it wasn’t until three minutes in that Takakuwa broke free for a contested and-1, providing SANJO BEATERS.EXE with their first lead and a surge of confidence.
Both teams traded blows: Maruyama answered with a clean two, Takeuchi hit back with her own deep two, and Kanako’s scoop layup put ST-KASUMI.EXE up 10–7 at the timeout. Defences tightened after the break, and back-to-back fouls on SANJO BEATERS.EXE sent Kanako to the line, where her free throws extended ST-KASUMI.EXE’s cushion.
A hustle offensive rebound by Kanako led to a kick-out for Mikino’s layup, pushing the lead to 15–9 with just over three and a half minutes remaining. SANJO BEATERS.EXE fought back hard with Takeuchi knocking down two free throws and Takakuwa burying consecutive layups before ST-KASUMI.EXE’s Kanako’s strong finish and Takeuchi’s huge two kept the game hanging with two minutes left.
In the final stretch, Fukuda and Kanako traded layups in a fierce wing-to-wing duel. A clutch free throw by Rika Ishikura and Takakuwa’s isolation drive cut SANJO BEATERS.EXE’s deficit to one. On the ensuing possession, Kanako despite missing a wide-open layup managed to draw a foul and coolly sank the winning free throws.
Between Kanako’s 11 points and Maruyama’s 7, ST-KASUMI.EXE held on for a 21–18 victory. Yet with all three Group 3 teams picking up a win, SANJO BEATERS.EXE claimed top spot for the day (19.5 PPG), SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE took second (16 PPG), and ST-KASUMI.EXE finished just a half-point behind.
ST-KASUMI.EXE (21) Def SANJO BEATERS.EXE (18)
Winner of Round 4 Group
SANJO BEATERS.EXE
Notable Scorers:
- Yumi Takakuwa (SANJO BEATERSW.EXE) – 10.0 PPG | 64% FG%
- Rika Kurihara (SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE) – 6.5 PPG | 63% - 1PT FG%
- Ohashi Kanako (ST-KASUMI.EXE) – 8.0 PPG | 44% FG%
🏆 MVP – Yumi Takakuwa (SANJO BEATERS.EXE)
10.0 PPG | 73% - 1Pt FG% | 64% FG%
Yumi Takakuwa’s performance across Group 3’s action was the driving force behind SANJO BEATERS.EXE’s success, earning her MVP honors with a 10.0 PPG average. She combined fearless aggression with surgical precision, shooting 73 % on her one-point attempts and 64 % overall, making each possession count and setting the tone on both ends of the court.
In the second game against SHINSHU SAKU REGION.EXE, Takakuwa exploded for 15 points, including a late 4–0 solo run to seal a 21–14 victory. Her ability to hit deep twos, knock down midrange pull-ups, and confidently attack closeouts kept her team in control throughout. Even when ST-KASUMI.EXE keyed on her in the final matchup, she battled through physical defense to convert a pivotal and-1, followed by back-to-back layups, and added a decisive isolation basket to fuel SANJO’s rally.
Beyond the box score, Takakuwa’s court vision and work ethic elevated her teammates, drawing defensive collapses that opened looks for Fukuda and Ishikura and her relentless motor inspired SANJO BEATERS.EXE to claim top spot for the day. Her MVP-caliber mix of efficiency, toughness, and leadership encapsulated what it takes to excel in the 3x3.EXE Premier format.
Final Standings
Links
| FIBA 3x3 Event Page | FIBA 3x3 Event Link |
| YouTube Link | Youtube Link |
| 3x3.EXE Standings | 3x3.EXE Standings |
| 3x3.EXE Schedule | 3x3.EXE Schedule |
Written by Andrew Cannings
