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Round 2 Day 2: A Shift in Momentum Under Pressure in Porters

With Round 1 now in the rear-view mirror, Round 2 Day 2 arrived with high expectations and even higher stakes. Held at the scenic but occasionally unpredictable Porters venue, conditions once again played a role—reminiscent of the wind-swept battles of Waterras.

The field was stacked with contenders: ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE, fresh off their dominant pool performance; HACHINOHE DIME.EXE, building on their unbeaten run; IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE, hungry to return to the podium; and a resurgent UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE, finally finding their rhythm.

From tight pool-stage chess matches to gritty semi-finals and a pulsating championship clash, Day 2 didn’t just add another chapter to the season—it redefined the balance of power. Tactical finesse, game-changing runs, and MVP-worthy moments made it clear: the race to the top of 3x3.EXE Premier Japan 2025 is officially wide open.

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Pool A - Pivotal Moment

Defence and Decision-Making: EPIC.EXE Outlast BEEFMAN.EXE in Tactical Duel

The opening game of Day 2 in Porters set the stage for a showdown between two top-tier sides — BEEFMAN.EXE, the runners-up from Round 1 Day 3, and EPIC.EXE, a semi-finalist from Day 2. With the scenic backdrop of Porters and a coastal breeze rolling in early, both teams knew this would be as much a mental challenge as a physical one.

The tone was set early by Tokiya Ryu, who delivered the day’s first highlight — a one-handed flush after spinning off his defender in the post, giving EPIC.EXE the early edge. BEEFMAN.EXE quickly responded, with Tatsuhito Noro and Toshitaka Umebayashi combining to keep the scoreboard ticking in a scrappy, back-and-forth opening stretch.

Both squads struggled to find rhythm from deep, with the first made two-pointer — a tough shot from Umebayashi — arriving nearly five minutes into the contest. The swirling wind and intense defensive pressure made perimeter scoring nearly impossible, forcing both teams to work for every inch.

As the clock dipped under 90 seconds, Umebayashi battled for a loose rebound and capitalised on a rare open look to tie the game at 10-all, setting up a tense final minute. The breakthrough came when Kazuki Shigemoto set a crushing screen on Noro, freeing Atsushi Isshiki at the top of the key. With the defence forced to choose between stopping Isshiki or defending the cutting Shigemoto, Isshiki delivered a perfectly timed bounce pass that found his teammate wide open under the basket.

It was a clutch sequence — one that ultimately proved decisive — as EPIC.EXE edged ahead and held on to secure top spot in Pool A.

Pool A Results

  • EPIC.EXE (11) Def BEEFMAN.EXE (10)
  • BEEFMAN.EXE (19) Def HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE (17)
  • EPIC.EXE (19) Def HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE (14)

Pool A Winner:

EPIC.EXE


Pool A Notable Scorers:

  • Atsushi Isshiki (EPIC.EXE) – 6.0 PPG | 62% - 1 PT%
  • Tatsuhito Noro (BEEFMAN.EXE)– 5.7 PPG | 48% - 1 PT%
  • Yuta Kusano (HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE)– 8.5 PPG | 50% - 1 PT%

Pool B - Pivotal Moment

Sawagashira and Maduabum Link Up Late to Sink IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE

Pool B delivered one of the most tightly contested matchups of the day, as IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE — runners-up from Round 1 Day 1 — went head-to-head with the undefeated HACHINOHE DIME.EXE, fresh off their commanding Day 3 performance. With both teams making subtle roster changes, the door was open for new contributors to make their mark. IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE opted to rest David Kongolo, while HACHINOHE DIME.EXE played without defensive anchor Ryoma Endo, setting the stage for a battle defined by execution and endurance.

Neither team gave an inch in the early going. Defensive intensity ruled the court, and every basket was hard-earned. With three minutes remaining, the scoreboard reflected the deadlock — 14-all — before IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE looked to break the stalemate. Spencer Jennings, Taroburaitochukuoma Saito, and Yuki Kurosawa each converted on consecutive possessions, giving the DROPS a 17-14 edge and a burst of momentum.

But just as the game appeared to tip, Chihiro Sawagashira flipped the script. A well-timed steal at the top of the arc denied IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE a chance to stretch the lead, and Sawagashira quickly turned defence into offence, assisting Chu Maduabum under the rim to trim the deficit. After a missed free throw by the DROPS, the ball found its way back to Sawagashira, who calmly stepped into a step-back two-pointer from the top — burying the shot to tie the game at 17 and swing momentum in HACHINOHE DIME.EXE’s favour.

In the final 90 seconds, Sawagashira took full command of the contest, orchestrating a 7-1 closing run. He tallied 3 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals in that stretch, showcasing an elite blend of vision, poise, and decision-making under pressure. His emerging chemistry with Maduabum proved pivotal as HACHINOHE DIME.EXE sealed the comeback win and secured top position in Pool B.

Pool B Results

  • HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (21) Def TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE (15)
  • HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (21) Def IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE (18)
  • TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE (21) Def IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE (11)

Pool B Winner:

HACHINOHE DIME.EXE

Pool B Notable Scorers

  • Chu Maduabum (HACHINOHE DIME.EXE)– 8.0 PPG | 54% FG%
  • Michael Phillips (TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE)– 9.5 PPG | 90% FG%
  • Spencer Jennings (IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE)– 7.0 PPG | 50% – 1PT FG

Pool C - Pivotal Moment

Hustle Play by Gonda Turns the Tide for ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE

The opening clash in Pool C featured two teams on different trajectories coming out of Round 1. IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE, fresh off a podium finish on Day 2, looked to continue their solid form, while UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE were determined to rebound after a shaky start to their 2025 campaign. From the opening possession, it was clear that UTSUNOMIYA came ready — their new frontcourt pairing of Souleymane Coulibaly and Hugo Schotter wasted no time establishing rhythm, connecting on a sharp pick-and-roll that set the tone for a fast 4–0 lead.

IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE, however, were not phased. With Sato Daisuke calmly directing traffic and providing composure under pressure, the Aichi side clawed their way back into the contest, levelling the score at 8-all with just under five minutes to play. The stage was set for a clutch closing stretch — but it would be Yudai Ara who seized the moment.

With the game hanging in the balance and only a slim two-point edge separating the teams, Ara came to life. First, he buried a two-pointer — his only of the day — to create breathing room. Then, with confidence surging, he added two more tough buckets in quick succession. In a furious 90-second span, Ara accounted for five of the next six points scored by UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE, personally outpacing the entire AICHI offence.

That explosion proved to be the game’s turning point. IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE, unable to respond to Ara’s surge, were held scoreless for the remainder of the match. UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE capitalised on the momentum swing, closing out the contest with authority to punch their ticket to the semi-finals and signal their intent to climb back into contention in Round 2.

Pool C Results

  • UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE (22) Def IRISPARTNERS A.EXE (13)
  • UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE (21) Def BRIDGE LINE MP3.EXE (11)
  • IRISPARTNERS A.EXE (22) Def BRIDGE LINE MP3.EXE (8)

Pool C Winner:

UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE

Pool C Notable Scorers

  • Souleymane Coulibaly (UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE)– 6.7 PPG | 50% FG%
  • Sota Yamada (IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE)– 5.5 PPG | 81% - 1PT FG%
  • Irie Roman Wright (BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE)– 5.0 PPG | 70% 1Pt FG%

Pool D - Pivotal Moment

Ryuhei Sparks Late Surge to Lift ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE in Pool D Showdown

With all three teams in Pool D coming off top-eight finishes from Round 1 Day 1, expectations were high for a fiercely competitive slate of games. The opener between ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE and YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE was always going to carry weight — and in the end, it played a decisive role in separating second from third in the group behind the dominant ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE.

Both squads came into the matchup determined to set the tone early. ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE found their groove through the sharp two-man play of Uda Ryuhei and Reon Fukada, while Hiroki Sugiyama kept YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE within striking distance with gritty offensive work of his own. Yet, despite the pace and pressure, neither team could quite pull away. A swirling coastal breeze once again disrupted perimeter shooting, contributing to a low-scoring, hard-fought affair.

With just over three minutes left, Tomoya Iida finally cracked the defence and knocked down a deep two, giving YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE a 4-point cushion at 10–6 — a potentially game-breaking margin in these conditions.

But that lead didn’t last long.

As seen in earlier matchups, a 4-point advantage in 3x3 doesn’t guarantee safety. Ryuhei responded almost immediately, draining an open two-pointer to close the gap. Sensing momentum shift, he turned up the aggression. On the next possession, he beat his defender off the dribble and sliced to the rim for another score, trimming the margin to just one.

That sequence was only the beginning. Ryuhei went on to score 7 of his team’s final 8 points, powering an emphatic 8–2 run to close the game. His offensive surge not only lifted ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE to victory, but also gave them a crucial edge in what may prove to be one of the tournament’s most evenly matched pools.

Pool D Results

  • ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE (14) Def YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE (12)
  • ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (21) Def ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE (11)
  • ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (22) Def YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE (8)

Pool D Winner:

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA

Pool D Notable Scorers

  • Jevonnie Scott (ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE) – 7.3 PPG | 70% – FG%
  • Uda Ryuhei (ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 45% – 2PT FG%
  • Hiroki Sugiyama (YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE) – 8.0 PPG | 76% – 1PT FG%

Semi Final 1 Recap

Sawagashira and Maduabum Deliver Again as HACHINOHE DIME.EXE Return to the Final

With both squads returning to semi-final action for the second consecutive round, the matchup between HACHINOHE DIME.EXE and EPIC.EXE promised to be a pivotal clash in shaping the long-term 3x3.EXE Premier Japan standings. Familiar faces, rising tension, and a pair of big men setting the tone inside — this one had all the ingredients of a playoff-worthy battle.

From the outset, the duel between Chu Maduabum and Julio Claver De Assis Afonso was clearly going to be one to watch. Each brought size, presence, and experience to the paint, anchoring their respective teams with strength and poise. But despite the big names on the floor, both teams struggled to get into gear early, combining for just 4 points across the opening minutes.

The tempo finally shifted thanks to the quick feet of Chihiro Sawagashira and Atsushi Isshiki, who injected much-needed pace with back-to-back bursts to the basket. As the game opened up, both sides started settling into their rhythm — Maduabum began finding quality touches in the paint, while Isshiki stepped up as EPIC.EXE’s go-to scorer, keeping the scoreboard ticking in tandem with HACHINOHE DIME.EXE’s inside attack.

With the game locked at the halfway mark, the narrative began to shift. EPIC.EXE’s energy began to wane, while HACHINOHE’s engine kicked into high gear. Yasuki Miyakoshi delivered a clutch two-point bomb to tilt momentum, followed soon after by Sawagashira’s soaring floater — a high-arcing prayer that hung in the air before finally kissing the glass.

De Assis Afonso tried valiantly to keep EPIC.EXE alive, making the right reads and delivering on-point passes, only to watch critical moments slip away as teammates mishandled golden chances. Meanwhile, Maduabum continued to assert himself with timely rebounds and second-chance finishes that kept HACHINOHE firmly in control.

Then came the shot of the game — perhaps the day. With just two seconds on the shot clock, Sawagashira pulled in a check ball, faded away over the outstretched arms of Isshiki, and launched a desperation heave. The ball bounced, rattled, danced on the rim — once, twice, three times — before finally falling to give HACHINOHE DIME.EXE a six-point lead with under two minutes remaining.

It was the final blow in a dominant closeout performance. Despite a quick reply from De Assis Afonso, EPIC.EXE couldn’t muster another comeback. HACHINOHE DIME.EXE outscored their opponents 11–6 over the final four minutes, locking in their place in a second straight final and further solidifying their reputation as a serious title contender.

Final Score:
HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (20) Def EPIC.EXE (14)

Semi-Final 2 Recap

Gilligan Closes the Door as ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE Edge Past UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE in Semi-Final Battle

With a finals berth on the line, the second semi-final brought together two sides peaking at the right time — a recharged UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE powered by their explosive duo of Souleymane Coulibaly and Hugo Schotter, and the powerhouse ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE squad, whose trio of Jevonnie Scott, Devin Gilligan, and Ryoichi Dewa had bulldozed through their pool games by a combined 24 points.

The tone was set immediately. On the opening possession, Coulibaly and Schotter executed a textbook pick-and-roll, marking what many in the crowd expected to see again and again from the dynamic pair. Scott answered quickly with a strong move in the post to get ZETHREE on the board and announce this would be no runaway.

Over the first four minutes, both teams dug in defensively. The game became a battle of grit and positioning, with whistles echoing nearly as often as buckets — the scoreboard read 7–5, but the foul count was nearly just as high. That physicality, though, opened the door for UTSUNOMIYA’s combo to exploit space. A slick screen-and-roll between Coulibaly and Schotter again created separation and earned a trip to the line, extending their lead to 12–7.

But ZETHREE were never far behind. Scott muscled through contact to convert an and-one, and just as it looked like UTSUNOMIYA might pull away, a costly foul on Yudai Ara gave them their 10th team foul — triggering the penalty rule and handing Ara two free throws plus possession. He sank both, pushing the lead to 14–8.

Coming out of a timeout, ZETHREE rediscovered their rhythm. They fed Scott in the post and returned to their bread-and-butter plays. Free throws from both Scott and Gilligan pulled the game back into reach. As the clock ticked under two minutes, the score was locked at 18-all — a true semi-final dogfight.

Scott again gave ZETHREE a slight edge, grinding in the paint for another score. Then, in a crucial moment, Coulibaly tried to force a pass. Scott got a fingertip to it, and the ball fell into Dewa’s path. Trying to recover, Coulibaly crashed into him and picked up a critical foul. Dewa could only convert one of two at the line, but it was enough to keep the lead.

With less than a minute remaining, the drama peaked. Gilligan, known for his late-game heroics, drove hard at Schotter, only to have his shot sensationally swatted toward the sideline. UTSUNOMIYA capitalised — another well-run pick-and-roll saw Coulibaly slash through to cut the deficit to one.

But you can’t give Devin Gilligan two chances. Left alone on his own island at the top of the key on the next possession, he didn’t miss. Splash. The veteran sealed it, sending ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE to their second straight final — and reinforcing why they’re one of the most composed, clutch teams in the competition.

Final Score:


ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (22) DefUTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE (19)

Final Recap

MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE Goes Back-to-Back, Outmuscles RHINOS.EXE in Commanding Finals Display

With both teams entering the final undefeated through two rounds, the Day 2 finale was more than just a championship—it was a battle for early-season supremacy. HACHINOHE DIME.EXE and ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE, both former winners in Round 1, were fighting for 100 all-important EXE points and an unblemished record. The game had the makings of a classic before the first whistle, and it delivered in full.

From the outset, HACHINOHE stuck to what had brought them success all day—pounding the ball inside to Chu Maduabum. He wasted no time establishing position and scoring the first bucket in the post. Not to be outdone, Jevonnie Scott dropped a crisp assist to Makoto Fujine to get ZETHREE on the board.

The early stages featured a flurry of highlights, including a tough, high-pressure bucket from Chihiro Sawagashira and a confident offensive burst from Fujine, who scored ZETHREE's first four points, asserting his place among the squad’s star trio. The pace was fast, but the defence was fiercer. After an explosive opening three minutes, both teams went scoreless for nearly a full minute until Gilligan found Scott under the rim for an easy two, pushing ZETHREE ahead 10–7 with five minutes remaining.

Then came a momentum shift. A deep two from Taishi Kakuta gave HACHINOHE their largest lead of the game at 13–7, and the tides seemed to be turning fully in their favour. But Fujine, relentless on both ends, forced a key turnover on Sawagashira and hit Scott for a thunderous dunk. The play ignited a 6–2 ZETHREE run, including back-to-back daggers from deep by Scott and a strong drive by Gilligan, narrowing the gap to just two points with a minute to play.

In the clutch, HACHINOHE turned again to Maduabum, who delivered inside. But Gilligan, as always, had an answer, keeping the score close. A well-timed timeout from HACHINOHE with 60 seconds left led to a well-drawn play, but the shot clanked off the front rim. Gilligan collected the board, swung it to a red-hot Scott on the left wing, and the sharpshooter buried a deep two to tie it up 17–17 with 50 seconds on the clock.

The closing seconds were pure chaos. HACHINOHE had their chances with two open looks, but the rim was unforgiving. With time running low, Scott tried to end it from long range but missed, giving HACHINOHE one last shot at glory. They fed the ball into their reliable big man, Maduabum, but this time Gilligan was ready. In a play worthy of the highlight reel, he stripped the ball clean and immediately fired a pass to a wide-open Scott, who sealed the game with an easy lay-in.

No time remained for another miracle. ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE completed the comeback and claimed their second final in as many rounds—cementing their place atop the 3x3.EXE Premier Japan standings.

Final Score:
ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (18) DefHACHINOHE DIME.EXE (17)

🏆 MVP – MVP Jevonnie Scott (ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE) 7.3 PPG | 70% – FG%

Jevonnie Scott proved once again why he's one of the most dominant interior forces in 3x3.EXE Premier Japan, delivering when it mattered most to help ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE claim their second straight final. Averaging 7.3 points per game on an ultra-efficient 70% shooting, Scott was unstoppable in the paint and deadly from range when the moment called for it. His ability to combine raw power with surprising finesse was on full display in the championship game, where he sparked a furious late rally—including the game-winning basket with seconds remaining. Scott’s impact on both ends of the floor made him the clear standout of the day in Porters.

Written by Andrew Cannings