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Round 2 Day 3: Closing out Round 2 in Chiba

As the 3x3.EXE Premier Japan Men’s Conference returned for the final day of Round 2, the setting shifted to Chiba — and with it, the stakes climbed even higher. After two intense days in Porters that tested depth, chemistry, and adaptability, Day 3 offered one final chance for teams to cement their place among the league’s contenders. With fresh matchups and the last remaining EXE Points of the round on the line, every possession became a potential season-shifting moment.

From seasoned squads eyeing redemption to emerging sides hungry to prove their Round 1 performances were no fluke, the Chiba venue hosted a string of gripping contests that highlighted the league’s growing parity. With semi-final spots still up for grabs, teams had no choice but to bring their sharpest tactics and most composed execution. Whether it was established veterans asserting control or young stars seizing the spotlight, Day 3 delivered the kind of drama and unpredictability that defines 3x3 basketball at its best.

POOL A Recap

Pool A’s Moment that Mattered

Last-Second Redemption: SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE Make It Count at the Buzzer

After a top-four finish in Round 1, TOKYO DIME.EXE, led by the ever-reliable Yu Nishiune, entered Day 3 with momentum and confidence. Their opponent, SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE, had stumbled out of the gate in the opening round, finishing 7th, and came into this matchup with a clear point to prove. From the outset, it was apparent that SHONAN SEASIDE intended to lean on their physical advantage, looking to exploit the undersized lineup of TOKYO DIME.EXE with the inside presence of Stephen Hurt and Yves Niyokwizera.

Despite the mismatch in size, TOKYO DIME.EXE rode a mid-game surge sparked by sharp shooting and clever ball movement. Nishiune and Wataru Kuroda combined for a 5–2 run that pushed their side to a 12–9 lead midway through the contest, and it briefly looked as though their perimeter game would keep them out of danger.

But SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE refused to fade. Anchored by their big men, they muscled their way back into contention, shifting the momentum through smart positioning, second-chance efforts, and pressure defence. With less than a minute remaining, TOKYO DIME.EXE trailed 19–18 until Nishiune attacked the lane and, in one final push, dished a brilliant assist to a cutting Kuroda, who finished with an acrobatic layup to tie the game.

With the shot clock off and time winding down, SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE held for the final possession. Initially unable to create separation, the ball eventually found its way to Ryota Iwata, who calmly took a hard dribble to his right and, rising over the defender, drained a midrange jumper just inside the arc as the buzzer sounded.

It was a dramatic close to a fiercely contested battle—and a vital bounce-back win for SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE, keeping their season trajectory firmly in play.

POOL B Recap

Pool B’s Moment that Mattered

SENDAI AIRJOKERS.EXE Survive by a Single Point

In one of the tightest pools of the round, UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, MEGURO SIXERS.EXE, and SENDAI AIRJOKERS.EXE each recorded a win, setting up a razor-thin finish where every point carried massive weight.

For SENDAI AIRJOKERS.EXE, the day had already been a rollercoaster. In their opening game against UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, Koji Nagata delivered a clutch bucket to force overtime, only to see victory slip away when Kifu Mashiko converted an and-one to seal the win for UENOHARA in the extra frame.

This left the AIRJOKERS needing not just a win against the resilient MEGURO SIXERS.EXE, but points—every single one of them—to keep their semi-final hopes alive. The game was a grind from the outset. MEGURO SIXERS.EXE leaned on the physicality and shot-making of Jonathan Kobongo and Makoto Seki, trading baskets with SENDAI through a tense eight-minute stretch where neither team could break away.

Then, with just over a minute remaining, the breakthrough arrived. Hiroto Watanabe knocked down a crucial two-pointer from the top, opening a small gap—but still not enough to guarantee qualification.

What followed was a flurry of late brilliance. Watanabe added three more points as SENDAI AIRJOKERS.EXE clawed for every chance, and in the dying seconds, Nagata once again stepped into a playmaking role, threading a perfect backdoor pass to Ren Chida. With barely time to glance at the rim, Chida rose and sank a high-pressure layup with five seconds remaining.

That final shot, seemingly routine, turned out to be decisive. In the pool's final tally, UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE fell just one point shy of SENDAI AIRJOKERS.EXE’s differential, sending the AIRJOKERS into the semi-finals by the slimmest of margins—and proving in 3x3, the last layup can mean everything.

Pool C Recap

Pool C’s Moment that Mattered

Veteran Composure, Rising Chemistry: SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE Clinch Semis in Style

With a semi-final berth hanging in the balance, both LEOVISTA.EXE and SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE stepped onto the court in Chiba knowing this was their final chance to rewrite the story of Round 2. Neither team had advanced past the pool stage in Round 1, and with the final day of the round now in full swing, only one could take the next step forward.

LEOVISTA.EXE entered the contest with growing confidence, having produced a dominant 14-point win earlier in the day. Their offence looked smooth, their movement sharp — and they knew a second win could push them through to the knockout rounds. But SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE had come to Chiba prepared, armed with a retooled and experienced lineup ready to make its mark.

The opening minutes were tightly contested, with Kuon Kogawa narrowing the gap to 6–5 with a hard-fought layup. But the response from SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE was immediate and emphatic. On the next possession, Hayate Suzuki sank a deep two, igniting the turning point of the match.

From there, SHINAGAWA went into overdrive.

Led by the defensive tenacity of Tomoya Ochiai, a seasoned Premier veteran, and fuelled by the offensive brilliance of the Slovenian Sledgehammer, Jan Damser, the squad exploded on a 5–1 run. Their chemistry was palpable — crisp ball movement, intelligent cuts, and gritty stops — as they put together a three-minute stretch that left LEOVISTA.EXE reeling.

Kogawa’s desperation heave finally halted the run, but it was little more than a speed bump for SHINAGAWA. The damage had been done through these three minutes. With control firmly in their hands, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE closed out the game with poise and power, sealing a 21–13 win and punching their ticket to the semi-finals.

The message from Chiba was clear: SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE are back — and they’re not here just to compete. They’re here to contend in 2025.

Pool D Recap

Pool D’s Moment that mattered

Verdy Survive Overtime Thriller to Close Out Round 2

The final pool match of Round 2 in Chiba carried with it all the tension of a championship clash — and EDEN.EXE came ready to rewrite their early season script. Standing across from them was a well-drilled TOKYO VERDY.EXE squad, buoyed by a strong earlier win over TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE and looking to lock up top spot in Pool D.

But it was EDEN.EXE who came out firing.

Tsukasa Nishimura, the emotional heartbeat of EDEN.EXE, opened the contest with a deep two-pointer and a slashing layup, quickly followed by a strong finish from Akira Kobayashi to take a surprise 4–1 lead. The underdogs weren’t just competing — they were controlling the tempo.

It took some time, but Kento Uenodan stepped up for TOKYO VERDY.EXE in a big way. He drilled back-to-back twos to steady the ship and bring the game level. As both teams exchanged blows in a tight, tactical contest, it was again Uenodan who hit a crucial corner two with just over four minutes remaining, handing TOKYO VERDY their first lead of the game.

From there, it was edge-of-your-seat basketball.

Down by two with seconds left in regulation, the stage was set for a final shot. Nishimura — cool under pressure — delivered once again. A quick pump fake to create space, followed by a clutch two-pointer, sent the game into overtime and drew cheers from every corner of the Chiba crowd.

Both teams traded quick layups to open the extra period. One basket was all that remained between glory and heartbreak. Nishimura again had a chance to play hero — a contested look from the wing arced high, bounced off the rim, and into the waiting arms of Uenodan.

VERDY wasted no time.

On the next possession, Riku Oguchi slashed into the lane, drawing attention before dishing to a perfectly timed cut by Mieda Cocoro, who finished cleanly at the rim to seal a thrilling 22–20 victory.

It was a cruel twist for EDEN.EXE, who fought valiantly all game — but in 3x3, it only takes one moment to swing everything. And this time, that moment that mattered belonged to TOKYO VERDY.EXE.

SEMI FINAL 1 RECAP

SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE ride dominant wave into First Final Appearance of 2025

In the first semi-final of Round 2 in Chiba, SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE stepped onto the court with purpose, eager to silence doubts lingering from a disappointing Round 1. Their opponents, SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE, had just clawed their way through one of the most balanced pools of the weekend and were hoping momentum would carry them into a surprise final. But from the opening possession, it was clear that SHONAN SEASIDE had arrived with more than just a game plan, they brought dominance.

Hiroto Watanabe opened the scoring for SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE with a sharp pick-and-roll finish off a clever feed from Koji Nagata, but it didn’t take long for SHONAN SEASIDE to respond. Kato Tokoyuki found the midrange rhythm with a smooth jumper off the glass and followed it up immediately with a deep two-pointer that ignited the SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE sideline. Within moments, the early balance tipped in favour of the favourites.

Looking to disrupt the flow, Ren Chida sparked SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE’s reply with back-to-back scores, briefly levelling the game at 4–4. But it was short-lived. SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE’s size and physicality began to overwhelm their opponents, none more so than Stephen Hurt, who bulldozed his way to a powerful and-one finish, dragging defenders in his wake and setting the tone for the minutes to come.

That single play proved to be the start of a runaway — a devastating 8–0 run in which all four SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE players got involved on the scoreboard. With Ryota Iwata drilling a long-range two to cap the surge, SENDAI suddenly found themselves down 12–4, unable to buy a bucket while SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE poured on the pressure on both sides of the ball.

A glimmer of hope arrived as Chida once again threaded the needle with a slick no-look pass to Watanabe, finally snapping the 3 minute scoring drought. But SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE didn’t flinch. Hurt continued to impose his will inside, and Iwata delivered another backbreaking two-pointer from the perimeter, widening the gap to 16–8 and sucking the life from any SENDAI comeback dreams.

Nagata’s flat shot from deep ricocheted straight of the glass like a bullet out of a timeout drew a rare roar from the crowd, hinting at a possible late surge — but it was quickly answered. Hurt added another single, and Iwata’s dagger two sealed the lid on any drama. Despite a valiant transition effort from Chida to push SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE into double digits, the wheels had come off, and the game slipped away for good.

SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE closed out the match 21–10, their most complete performance of the 2025 season so far. With all four players contributing across the board and their interior strength fully on display, they head into the final not just with momentum, but with a warning to whoever dares stand in their way.

Final Score:

SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE (21) Def SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE (10)

SEMI FINAL 2 RECAP

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

The second semi-final in Chiba pitted one of the league's most seasoned outfits, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE, against a fearless and high-energy TOKYO VERDY.EXE side who had clawed their way into contention with a dramatic overtime win earlier in the day. While SHINAGAWA came armed with international pedigree and World Tour experience, TOKYO VERDY.EXE brought speed, chemistry, and the confidence of a team with nothing to lose.

It was Mieda Cocoro who made the opening statement. On the very first possession, he burst past his defender with trademark quickness and found Riku Oguchi for a clean finish — a warning shot that SHINAGAWA’s veterans would need to stay sharp against the pace of TOKYO VERDY.EXE’s pace.

But Dušan Samardžić, the other half of SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s European frontline, had his own agenda. Muscling his way to the hoop, collecting his own miss, and finishing through contact, Samardžić showed he wasn’t about to be outrun. Soon after, Jan Demsar began to impose his will. With ghost-like off-ball movement and timing honed through international reps, Demsar made himself a constant target for slick interior feeds, finishing multiple plays with surgical ease.

Still, TOKYO VERDY.EXE wouldn’t go away. Cocoro responded with a deep two to even the scores after just over a minute, proving that their offense could match SHINAGAWA’s precision with firepower of their own.

For much of the first five minutes, the contest remained tightly wound. TOKYO VERDy.EXE leaned on their tempo and quick cuts to stay close, while SHINAGAWA relied on poise and physicality to control the pace. At the halfway mark, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE clung to a slender 7–6 lead, but the pressure was mounting.

It was Demsar’s cool hand from the free-throw line that broke the deadlock. From there, the dam began to crack. A flurry of layups from Demsar and Tomoya Ochiai, coupled with another converted foul shot, created daylight. SHINAGAWA’s lead ballooned to four in the blink of an eye — and they weren’t done.

Samardžić nailed a cold-blooded two, followed by another inside score from Ochiai. In the span of 90 seconds, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE rattled off an 8–2 run, completely flipping the momentum and forcing TOKYO VERDY.EXE into scramble mode.

Cocoro gave TOKYO VERDY.EXE a glimmer of hope with a clutch two to narrow the gap to 17–10, but SHINAGAWA’s stranglehold on the game never truly loosened. Ochiai sealed the deal with a pair of composed finishes at the rim, putting an emphatic stamp on the performance.

In the end, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE marched into the final with a 21–11 victory, a showcase of veteran cohesion, strategic execution, and the deep bench strength that makes them one of the most dangerous squads in 3x3.EXE Premier Japan when fully locked in.

Final Score:

SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (21) Def TOKYO VERDY.EXE (10)

GRAND FINAL RECAP

SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE Outlast SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE in Final to Claim Round 2 Glory

The Chiba crowd didn’t need reminding of what was at stake as SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE and SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE took centre stage in the final of Round 2. Both teams had arrived at this moment through dominant performances and composed execution, setting up what felt inevitable from the day’s opening tip, a clash between the tournament’s two most battle-tested squads.

From the very first possession, the energy was electric. Hayate Suzuki came out aggressively for SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE, barrelling to the rim, only to be turned away by rugged interior defence. The tone was immediately set, neither side was giving up anything easy. Moments later, Kato Tokoyuki, who had been lethal from deep all day for SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE, wasted no time drilling his first attempt to open the scoring. But Suzuki had an answer of his own, pulling up from range and sinking a quick two to bring the final to life.

The next few exchanges were tit-for-tat. Jan Demsar powered his way through the post against Stephen Hurt, while Ryota Iwata kept pace for SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE with a confident midrange jumper. The physicality escalated with every possession. Off-ball denials turned into wrestling matches, and box-outs became battles. A particularly bruising rebound skirmish saw Tomoya Ochiai take an unintentional shot to the face from Yves Niyokwizera, further underlining the uncompromising nature of the matchup.

At 7–7, the game hung in perfect balance. But in the blink of an eye, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE found daylight. Demsar hit a smooth two from the wing, followed by a composed free throw and a crafty finish inside from Dušan Samardžić, creating a four-point buffer. Though SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE stemmed the tide briefly through Stephen Lane, who capitalised on a missed two-point attempt to score inside, the effort left them vulnerable in transition. Demsar once again punished them, this time left wide open beyond the arc to stretch the lead to five.

Kato Tokoyuki, ever the competitor, drew a foul on a blow-by and converted the free throw, but Demsar, known as “The Slovenian Sledgehammer,” responded instantly, carving out space in the post and finishing through contact to reassert control. Just before the five-minute mark, Suzuki stormed down the lane, finishing an acrobatic layup despite being almost knocked into the carpark, a symbolic highlight that underscored SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s grit.

Tensions boiled over moments later. As Suzuki and Hurt collided once again under the rim, Hurt’s stray leg tripped Suzuki on the ground, drawing an Unsportsmanlike Foul. Suzuki split the resulting free throws, and with possession retained, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE extended their lead to 17–10 with under four minutes remaining.

But SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE weren’t finished yet. A foul by Demsar pushed SHINAGAWA into the penalty, allowing Niyokwizera to sink two crucial free throws. Then, an interior bucket by Hurt brought the score to 17–13 — a flicker of hope amidst the growing pressure.

That glimmer was quickly dimmed. Demsar, cool and composed, hoisted a towering two over Hurt’s extended wingspan, finding the bottom of the net and breaking open the game once more. Though Hurt responded with a couple of late baskets to cut the deficit, it was Tomoya Ochiai, the ever-reliable veteran, who sealed the deal. Absorbing contact and dragging his defender into the paint, Ochiai finished through the foul to give SHINAGAWA their final bucket.

With a 21–17 victory, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE secured their first win of the 2025 3x3.EXE Premier Japan season. In a final that offered equal parts physicality, skill, and tactical brilliance, it was their composure and chemistry that ultimately proved the difference.

The climax of Round 2 was set between SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE and SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE who throughout they day had both amassed big victories and establishing themselves as the two teams most destined for the showdown in the final.

Final Score:
SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (21) Def SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE (17)

Nicknamed “The Slovenian Sledgehammer”, Jan Demsar was the undeniable engine behind SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s championship run on Day 3 in Chiba. Leading scorers with 9.3 points per game, Demsar’s physical presence, intelligent off-ball movement, and scoring efficiency made him a constant threat in every possession. He connected on 61% of his field goal attempts, including crucial buckets in transition and under pressure. While his 30% accuracy from beyond the arc may not tell the whole story, his ability to stretch the floor and command defensive attention opened lanes for his teammates throughout the final. Whether carving out space in the post or slipping into gaps in the defence, Demsar delivered a masterclass in timing and toughness, proving once again why he’s one of the most reliable weapons in the 3x3.EXE Premier Japan circuit.

Written by Andrew Cannings