【RECAP】3x3.EXE PREMIER JAPAN 2025 ROUND.1

Welcome to 3x3.EXE Premier Japan — the world’s largest professional 3x3 basketball league.

Round 1 – Day 3 - Yamaguchi

From dramatic overtime finishes to powerhouse duels in the paint, Day 3 of 3x3.EXE Premier Japan's opening round in Yamaguchi had everything fans could ask for. As the final 12 teams made their long-awaited 2025 debut, four pools of action showcased the league’s depth, with fresh faces making an impact, former champions finding their stride, and a final showdown that lived up to the hype.

HACHINOHE DIME.EXE emerged as the dominant force, blending size, speed, and composure to sweep through the competition and claim top points. Behind the unstoppable presence of MVP Chu Maduabum, they held off spirited challenges from SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE, TOKYO DIME.EXE, and BEEFMAN.EXE to close the day with a perfect 3–0 record. Meanwhile, teams like MEGURO SIXERS.EXE, SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE, and BEEFMAN.EXE added to the drama with clutch performances, highlighting just how competitive this season is shaping up to be.

Pool A

Pivotal Moment

MEGURO SIXERS.EXE Survive Late Surge to Secure Statement Win Over HIU ZEROROCKETS.EXE

The second matchup in Pool A delivered one of the early highlights of Day 3, as MEGURO SIXERS.EXE made their 2025 debut against a determined HIU ZEROROCKETS.EXE side, headlined by national team star Kenya Igo. Still reeling from a seven-point loss earlier in the day, HIU ZEROROCKETS.EXE entered the game looking to reassert their identity and prove they could compete in this high-calibre field.

From the opening checkball, it was the MEGURO SIXERS.EXE who looked more settled. Guard Satoru Wakagi wasted no time establishing himself, draining a confident step-back two-pointer that ignited a quick offensive surge. Within four minutes, MEGURO had opened up a 6–1 lead, their spacing, ball movement, and defensive switching forcing HIU ZEROROCKETS.EXE into rushed looks and difficult adjustments.

But as the game wore on, HIU began to find their footing. Yuta Kusano orchestrated a steady response, working effectively out of pick-and-roll action with Igo and Uroš Kanić. The rhythm between the trio allowed them to claw back within a single point at 10–9 with under two minutes remaining, setting up a tense closing stretch.

That’s when things turned chaotic. With the shot clock winding down, Kohei Ishida from MEGURO SIXERS.EXE launched a desperation heave that missed everything — except the backboard. The rebound ricocheted directly into the hands of Makoto Seki, who reacted instantly and laid the ball in just as the buzzer sounded. Though the sequence looked accidental, it was the kind of heads-up play that defines close 3x3 contests.

Now down by two, HIU ZEROROCKETS.EXE tried to quicken the pace. But a telegraphed pass by Kusano was intercepted by the ever-alert Ishida. In the ensuing scramble, Igo overcommitted on a recovery effort and collided with Seki — a costly error, as it marked HIU’s seventh team foul. Seki stepped to the line for two shots with the chance to put the game away. He calmly knocked down the second free throw, extending the margin to three with 25 seconds left — enough of a cushion to halt HIU’s late push and secure a composed 13–10 win for MEGURO SIXERS.EXE.

Pool A Results

• SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (21) Def HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE (14)
• MEGURO SIXERS.EXE (13) Def HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE (10)
• SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (19) Def MEGURO SIXERS.EXE (9)

Pool A Winner:

SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (19
Pool A Notable Scorers:

• Yori Iwaya (SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE) – 6.3 PPG | 55% - 1Pt FG%
• Makoto Seki (MEGURO SIXERS.EXE) – 5.5 PPG | 82% - 1Pt FG%
• Uroš Kanić (HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE)– 5.5 PPG | 48% FG%

Pool B

Pivotal Moment

Takeuchi’s Heroics in OT Deliver First-Ever Win for SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE

After a tough opening matchup against perennial title contenders HACHINOHE DIME.EXE, SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE returned to the court in search of their first-ever win in the 3x3.EXE Premier. Their opponent: BRIDGE LINE MP3.EXE, a new squad equally eager to leave a mark in their season debut.

Both sides opened with conviction. Haruto Tsuji established early positioning in the post and finished strong for BRIDGE LINE MP3.EXE, but SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE answered swiftly — Kaito Takeuchi threading a perfect pass to a cutting Yuya Hosoda for a layup. The tone was set: this was going to be a battle of execution and will.

Midway through the contest, SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE appeared to take control. With fluid ball movement and sharp cuts, they built an eight-point cushion with just over four minutes to play. But BRIDGE LINE MP3.EXE weren’t done. Sparked by Irie Roman Wright, who converted a dramatic four-point play after being fouled from deep, the game shifted dramatically. Wright erupted for a personal 9–0 run, capping it with a corner two that gave BRIDGE LINE MP3.EXE a 17–16 edge with under two minutes remaining.

As the clock ticked down, both teams tightened up defensively. Wright had a chance to close it in regulation but saw his heavily contested drive roll off the rim at the buzzer — sending the game to overtime.

In the extra period, Takeuchi wasted no time. He broke free from the top and glided to the rim for an easy lay-in, giving SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE the edge. Wright responded with a step-back attempt for the win, but the shot rimmed out, dropping into the hands of Reo Isogai. With poise under pressure, Isogai handed the ball back to Takeuchi on a quick dribble-handoff. Reading the defense perfectly, Takeuchi attacked downhill again and sealed the deal with a composed finish off the glass — handing SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE their first victory of the 2025 season in heart-pounding fashion.

Pool B Results

• HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (21) Def SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE (3)
• SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE (22) Def BRIDGE LINE MP3.EXE (20)
• HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (22) Def BRIDGE LINE MP3.EXE (8)

Pool B Winner:

HACHINOHE DIME.EXE

Pool B Notable Scorers

• Chu Maduabum (HACHINOHE DIME.EXE)– 7.8 PPG | 88% – 1PT FG
• Yuya Hosoda (SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE)– 5.0 PPG | 58% – 1PT FG
• Irie Roman Wright (BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE)– 10.0 PPG | 60% – 1PT FG

Pool C

Pivotal Moment

EPIC.EXE stuns UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE in gritty, wind-affected showdown

BEEFMAN.EXE withstands late pressure to edge out 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE in defensive showcase

In one of the most evenly matched contests of the day, 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE and BEEFMAN.EXE delivered a gritty, back-and-forth battle that showcased the physicality and mental fortitude required to succeed in outdoor 3x3 basketball.

Tatsuhito Noro wasted no time establishing his offensive presence for BEEFMAN.EXE, scoring on the opening possession and making it clear he intends to remain one of the league’s premier scorers in 2025. But 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE — drawing on experience from their 2024 campaign — were up to the task. Ataru Sakata consistently found gaps in the defence, responding bucket-for-bucket and keeping the contest within reach.

Despite both teams struggling to connect from deep — with Riku Kaneko’s single two-point make being the only from beyond the arc — neither side backed down. Kaneko’s shot briefly gave 3STORM a three-point cushion, the largest margin of the game, but it was short-lived. BEEFMAN.EXE’s Toshitaka Umebayashi immediately responded inside, setting the tone for a thrilling final stretch.

With under two minutes remaining and the score level after Haruki Tobori’s open finish, BEEFMAN.EXE’s defence stepped up. In arguably the play of the game, Yamato Ito timed a perfect block on Kaneko’s wing isolation attempt from deep, grabbed the loose ball, and fed Noro for the go-ahead basket — BEEFMAN’s first lead since the opening minute.

That moment flipped the energy, and BEEFMAN.EXE rode the wave, closing on a 5–0 run to escape with a clutch 11–9 victory. It was a game decided not by long-range shooting or offensive firepower, but by hustle, half-court defence, and a handful of big-time plays when they mattered most.

Pool C Results

• BEEFMAN.EXE (11) Def 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE (9)
• NINJA AIRS.EXE (22) Def 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE (16)
• BEEFMAN.EXE (21) Def NINJA AIRS.EXE (14)

Pool C Winner:

BEEFMAN.EXE

Pool C Notable Scorers

• Ataru Sakata (3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE)– 6.5 PPG | 57% – 1PT FG
• Tatsuhito Noro (BEEFMAN.EXE) – 8.0 PPG | 70% – 1PT FG
• Kosuke Kashiwao (NINJA AIRS.EXE) – 10.5 PPG | 40% – 1PT FG

Pool D

Pivotal Moment

TOKYO DIME.EXE rides hot shooting and late-game composure to claim Pool D supremacy

In the second pool matchup of Day 3, the clash between TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE and TOKYO DIME.EXE delivered a compelling contrast of styles: the interior dominance of Michael Phillips versus the perimeter shooting firepower of Yu Nishiune. With both teams eyeing the top spot in Pool D, and TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE coming off a 14-point blowout win over SPINNERS.EXE, the stakes were high — and the physicality quickly followed suit.

TOKYO DIME.EXE opened with a flurry, as Masahiro Komatsu and Nishiune connected on a pair of long-range twos to help build a lightning-fast 9–4 lead just over two minutes in. But TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE leaned into their size and structure. Phillips went to work in the pick-and-roll, anchoring a methodical 5–0 response that tied the game at 9–9. The early back-and-forth wasn’t just about buckets — it was about fouls, as both teams played with such intensity that foul trouble was destined to become a deciding factor.

With under two minutes to play and TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE trailing by two, Phillips drew contact and calmly converted a pair of free throws to bring the score to 16–14. But momentum quickly shifted. On the next possession, Wataru Kuroda’s high-flying putback attempt drew a hard foul from Wakasa Koki — and with TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE now over the limit, the pressure mounted. Kuroda knocked down both free throws, extending the lead and forcing TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE into desperation mode.

That gamble backfired immediately, as Nishiune — already lethal from midrange — was fouled in the act of shooting. He responded with a tough jumper and added a free throw to cap off a critical and-one sequence, effectively sealing the contest. In the end, TOKYO DIME.EXE’s shot-making and composure under pressure overcame TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE’s physical edge, locking up top position in Pool D.

Pool D Results

• TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE (22) Def SPINNERS.EXE (8)
• TOKYO DIME.EXE (22) Def TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE (16)
• TOKYO DIME.EXE (21) Def SPINNERS.EXE (14)

Pool D Winner:

TOKYO DIME.EXE (21)

Pool D Notable Scorers

• Michael Phillips (TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE)– 9.0 PPG | 75% – 1PT FG
• Kazuki Yanagawa (SPINNERS.EXE)– 5.0 PPG | 100% FG
• Yu Nishiune (TOKYO DIME.EXE)– 10.7 PPG | 30% – 2PT FG

Semi Final 1 Recap

HACHINOHE DIME.EXE Hold Off SHINAGAWA Rally to Secure Round 1 Final Spot

After dominating Pool C with an imposing average margin of 16 points — the highest of Round 1 — HACHINOHE DIME.EXE stormed into the first semi-final with confidence and momentum on their side. Standing in their way was a revamped SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE roster, competing without several core players away on World Tour duties in France. But despite the absences, the team had no shortage of experience, rallying behind league veteran and crowd favourite Tomoya Ochiai, who brought leadership and big-game presence to the court.

The opening possessions set the tone for a high-intensity matchup. SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE generated a clean look for Yori Iwaya at the top of the arc off a well-executed set, but the shot came up short. On the very next trip down, Chihiro Sawagashira sliced through the defence for a strong drive to the rim, drawing first blood for HACHINOHE DIME.EXE. SHINAGAWA answered immediately through Ryoma Saito, and the early back-and-forth hinted at a fast-paced battle.

That rhythm, however, quickly tilted in HACHINOHE’s favour. A combination of unselfish ball movement, sharp execution, and aggressive pressure saw them rattle off a dominant run, fuelled by the interior presence of Chu Maduabum, whose rebounding and shot-blocking gave them a stronghold in the paint. The scoreboard ballooned to 8–1 in the first four minutes, putting SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE on the back foot.

The response came — slowly, then all at once. A crafty assist from Ochiai set up Saito for a wide-open layup, and the basket seemed to lift the fog. SHINAGAWA started clawing back into the game with a pair of back-to-back finishes at the rim, capped off by a timely two-pointer from Iwaya that cut the lead to just one, 10–9. With the crowd now engaged, the game had shifted from a rout into a dogfight.

As the physicality ramped up, both sides found themselves battling not just each other, but the foul count. A calm free throw from Ryoma Endo was followed by a dazzling drive and finish from Sawagashira, re-establishing a 3-point cushion for HACHINOHE. Ochiai answered with a determined and-one finish through contact, then Iwaya again delivered under pressure with a tough two, bringing the score to a razor-thin 15–14 margin.

Defences locked in as the clock wound down, forcing both teams into difficult, contested looks. With 30 seconds remaining and SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE still within reach, Maduabum backed down his defender and—showing remarkable vision—fired a skip pass across the court to Sawagashira. Without hesitation, the guard let it fly, draining a clutch two-pointer to push the lead to 18–15. From that moment on, HACHINOHE DIME.EXE held firm, closing out the game and securing their place in the final with poise and purpose.

Final Score:
HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (21) Def SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (16)

Semi-Final 2 Recap

BEEFMAN.EXE and Noro Hold Firm in Shootout Thriller to Advance to Final

In the second semi-final of the day, two of 3x3.EXE Premier Japan’s most seasoned squads collided in a heavyweight bout, with both BEEFMAN.EXE and TOKYO DIME.EXE entering the contest with convincing pool victories and offensive stars capable of seizing control. On one side stood BEEFMAN.EXE’s workhorse scorer Tatsuhito Noro, while on the other was TOKYO DIME.EXE’s sharp-shooter Yu Nishiune — both of whom had built a reputation over the offseason through standout play in the 3x3.EXE Super Premier Series

From the opening tip, it was clear both teams were prepared to lean on their offensive anchors. Noro and Nishiune combined to take the first seven shots of the game, setting the tone early. BEEFMAN.EXE gained the initial edge, going up 3–1, with Noro initiating contact in the paint while drawing fouls to get to the line. Defensively, both teams made it clear that they weren’t giving their opponents’ stars any breathing room, applying intense physical pressure from the outset.

But it was the supporting cast that began to shift the momentum. For TOKYO DIME.EXE, Koki Higashino made a smart off-ball cut for an open layup, while Ito Yamato did the same for BEEFMAN.EXE, showing that the depth of both squads extended beyond their marquee names. Noro then converted an old-school three-point play, followed by a perfectly rotated possession that found Toshitaka Umebayashi wide open for a two-pointer — his only basket of the game, but a crucial one that stretched BEEFMAN.EXE’s lead to 10–4.

With TOKYO DIME.EXE struggling to find rhythm, Nishiune finally saw two free throws fall after being fouled from beyond the arc — a small crack in BEEFMAN.EXE’s defensive wall. That momentum carried over, as Nishiune weaved through traffic to bring the score to 13–8. But Haruki Tobori had a quick response, knocking down a cold-blooded two despite tight coverage from Higashino. When Noro muscled in another basket to make it 16–10, TOKYO DIME.EXE looked out of answers.

Just as the crowd started to sense the game slipping away, Masahiro Komatsu drilled a critical two-pointer that sparked a dramatic final push. Nishiune followed with a steal and assist to Wataru Kuroda, cutting the lead to 16–14 with 2:30 remaining. Foul trouble for both teams created a back-and-forth exchange from the line and beyond the arc. Nishiune hit another deep two to keep hope alive, only for Noro to silence the momentum with a two of his own — both players trading haymakers in a furious closing stretch.

Ultimately, it came down to execution in the clutch. With the game hanging in the balance, Noro found himself matched against Nishiune in the post. Using textbook footwork, he spun off the defender and banked in a fadeaway jumper off the glass to seal a 21–18 victory for BEEFMAN.EXE — punching their ticket to the final and capping off one of the most thrilling games of the weekend.

Final Score:
BEEFMAN.EXE (21) Def TOKYO DIME.EXE (18)

Final Recap

HACHINOHE DIME.EXE Outmuscle BEEFMAN.EXE to Claim Top Points in Opening Round

The final of Day 3 in Yamaguchi brought together two sides that had looked a class above throughout the opening round of 3x3.EXE Premier Japan. On one side stood BEEFMAN.EXE, riding the elite shot-making of Tatsuhito Noro and a deep, well-rounded roster. On the other, HACHINOHE DIME.EXE — a dominant unit combining raw size and pace, anchored by the powerful presence of Chu Maduabum and the versatile scoring of Chihiro Sawagashira. With a maximum of season-opening league points on the line, both teams entered the final primed for a statement performance.

The early tempo reflected a chess match more than a shootout. BEEFMAN.EXE struck first with Toshitaka Umebayashi finishing inside, but the next 90 seconds were a gritty grind until Noro broke the silence with a clean two-pointer from the corner. HACHINOHE DIME.EXE struggled to find their rhythm early, needing a timeout to regroup before finally getting on the board via a free throw from Maduabum — a sign of how bruising and defensive this battle had already become.

Momentum began to shift midway through the opening stretch as Haruki Tobori slashed through the defense for a tough layup. Taishi Kakuta answered at the other end with HACHINOHE DIME.EXE’s first field goal, kicking off a frenzied sequence. Ito Yamato quickly responded for BEEFMAN.EXE with a basket of his own, but then overcommitted on defense and fouled Sawagashira immediately after, keeping the score knotted at 5-5. As the game opened up, Yamato buried a deep two from the wing to put BEEFMAN.EXE up by three, but the control wouldn’t last long.

HACHINOHE DIME.EXE adjusted by leaning into their physical advantage, feeding the post and allowing Maduabum to go to work inside. The tactic paid off — both in points and in fouls drawn — as BEEFMAN.EXE entered the penalty with five minutes still on the clock. Maduabum cut the lead to 11-10 and then, after a left-hand drive by Tobori, Sawagashira finally broke loose from behind the arc, splashing a two to level the game at 13-13.

As the tension rose, each possession began to carry more weight. Tobori and Umebayashi helped BEEFMAN.EXE inch back ahead with crisp movement and smart cuts, only for HACHINOHE DIME.EXE to once again turn to Maduabum in the paint. He answered the call with consecutive post scores to bring the game level at 16-16 with under three minutes remaining.

What followed was a tense exchange worthy of a final. Tobori scored on a layup, but left Sawagashira inexplicably unguarded on the next possession — a mistake punished with a smooth two-pointer that barely touched the net. When Yamato finished again to tie it at 18-18, it set up a wild final minute. Sawagashira fearlessly drove into traffic and scored over two defenders, then Ryoma Endo came up with a crucial block to protect the lead. Maduabum followed with a ferocious dunk, pushing HACHINOHE DIME.EXE to match point. With the game hanging in the balance, a turnover by BEEFMAN.EXE handed HACHINOHE the final possession — and once again, it was Sawagashira who rose to the occasion, pulling up from the right elbow to ice the game and seal a 21–18 victory.

The win not only capped off a perfect day for HACHINOHE DIME.EXE but solidified their status as early contenders for the 2025 title — blending size, poise, and late-game execution in a thrilling finish.

Final Score:
HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (21) Def BEEFMAN.EXE (18)

🏆 MVP – Chu Maduabum (HACHINOHE DIME.EXE)– 7.8 PPG | 88% - 1 Pt FG% | 78% FT%

There was no question who set the tone across all three games on Day 3. HACHINOHE DIME.EXE’s Chu Maduabum was a force of nature in the paint, combining size, footwork, and finishing touch to dominate on both ends of the floor. The big man averaged 7.8 points per game on a staggering 88% shooting from 1-point range, finishing the day with 74% overall from the field and 78% from the free-throw line. His physicality consistently drew fouls, shifted defensive schemes, and wore down opposing frontcourts — making him nearly unstoppable. In a day full of standout performances, Maduabum’s impact was unmatched.

Final Standings

Written by Andrew Cannings