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Round 5 Group 3 - HYOGO

Hyogo Showdown Sees ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE Extend Their Reign at the Top

As 3x3.EXE Premier Japan rolled into Hyogo for Group 3 of Round 5, the competition reached a new level of urgency. With playoff positioning beginning to take shape, every possession, every result, and every individual moment carried extra weight. Eight teams across four pools took to the court in pursuit of a semifinal berth, bringing with them high-tempo offence, defensive grit, and strategic adjustments honed across the season so far.

From rising contenders to established threats, Hyogo showcased the full spectrum of 3x3 basketball talent. Debut semifinalists like TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE looked to build on their recent momentum, while powerhouse programs such as ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE continued their push for dominance. With dramatic comebacks, key injuries, and standout individual performances, Group 3 proved to be one of the most compelling rounds yet in the 2025 season calendar.

POOL A

  • ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE - 185 EXE POINTS | 25% Winning% | 13.6 PPG
  • TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE - 210 EXE POINTS | 44% Winning% | 17.9 PPG
  • NINJA AIRS.EXE - 195 EXE POINTS | 38% Winning% | 15.9 PPG

POOL A MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Cold Spell Costs NINJA AIRS.EXE as TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE Take Control

The early stages of the Pool A opener saw NINJA AIRS.EXE come out strong, with Issei Ohno knocking down a confident corner two to push the score to 7–4 just two minutes into play. The high-energy start put TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE on the back foot, forcing them to regroup quickly against a team riding early momentum.

But NINJA AIRS.EXE soon faltered. What began as a promising opening turned into a costly cold spell, with the team going 0-for-11 from the field and committing five turnovers across a three-minute stretch. TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE capitalised decisively, running a methodical offence through Michael Phillips and Okoye Peter Junior, whose combined interior scoring powered an 8–0 run that completely flipped the game’s narrative.

Kosuke Kashiwao eventually broke the run with a clean outside shot for NINJA AIRS.EXE, but the shift in control was already evident. The damage inflicted during that scoring drought left NINJA AIRS.EXE chasing the game for the remainder, unable to recover the rhythm or defensive shape they showed early on.

That single three-minute lapse proved pivotal for Pool A standings. TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE’s composure under pressure and ability to punish mistakes cemented their position at the top of the group, while NINJA AIRS.EXE were left to rue a missed opportunity that may ultimately cost them advancement.

POOL A RESULTS

  • Game 1 - TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE (22) Def ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE (4)
  • Game 2 - TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE (21) Def NINJA AIRS.EXE (15)
  • Game 3 - NINJA AIRS.EXE (22) Def ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE (18)

POOL A WINNER:

TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE


POOL A NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Michael Phillips (TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE) – 9.0 PPG| 86% FG%
  • Issei Ohno (NINJA AIRS.EXE) - 9.5 PPG| 78% - 1PT FG%
  • Keito Sakurai (ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE) – 5.0 PPG| 42% - 1PT FG%

POOL B

  • MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE - 320 EXE POINTS | 86% Winning% | 20.1 PPG
  • SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE - 290 EXE POINTS | 73% Winning% | 19.6 PPG
  • ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE - 380 EXE POINTS | 94% Winning% | 20.8 PPG

POOL B MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Speed and Transition Offence Power ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE Past MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE

Pool B featured one of the most hotly contested groups of the round, with three heavyweight squads vying for top position. Both ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE and MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE came into their final matchup with hard-fought victories over SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE, setting the stage for a decisive showdown to determine who would advance from the group.

From the outset, MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE brought intensity and control, dictating the pace through sharp execution and disciplined defence. For the first six minutes, they maintained a narrow lead, stretching the margin to as many as four points while limiting ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE’s opportunities in transition.

But ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE found another gear in the closing stages. Sparked by the up-tempo play of Ryoichi Dewa and Makoto Fujine, they pushed the pace and began generating quick transition looks. Their aggressive tempo opened up opportunities for Devin Gilligan and Jevonnie Scott, who connected on six straight scoring possessions that swung momentum sharply in ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE’s favour.

That closing run proved decisive. While MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE showed poise throughout, they couldn’t answer the late surge from ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE. The result not only secured the win but also sealed top spot in Pool B, demonstrating ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE’s ability to adjust under pressure and close out big games when it matters most.

POOL B RESULTS

  • Game 1 - ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (19) Def SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE (15)
  • Game 2 - MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE (17) Def SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE (14)
  • Game 3 - ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (18) Def MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE (15)

POOL B WINNER:

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE


POOL B NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Devin Gilligan (ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE) - 7.3 PPG| 74% FG%
  • Miloš Ćojbašić (MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE) – 8.0 PPG| 69% - 1 PT%
  • Yves Niyokwizera (SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE)- 6.0 PPG | 75% - 1 PT%

POOL C

  • EPIC.EXE - 290 EXE POINTS | 79% Winning% | 18.1 PPG
  • HACHINOHE DIME.EXE - 350 EXE POINTS | 88% Winning% | 20.0 PPG
  • ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE - 205 EXE POINTS | 44% Winning% | 17.0 PPG

POOL C MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Back-to-Back Daggers from Ryuhei and Washimoto Seal Win for ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE

The final game in Pool C was set up as a do-or-die battle. EPIC.EXE, having dropped their opening game, entered the matchup needing a win to stay alive. For ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE, the equation was simple: win, and they would advance to the knockout rounds. The stakes were clear, and both teams played with urgency from the opening tip.

Midway through the contest, EPIC.EXE clawed ahead when Julio Claver De Assis Afonso calmly sank two free throws to give his side a narrow 13–12 lead. The pressure momentarily shifted to ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE, but their response was swift and emphatic. Shogo Washimoto stepped up and drilled a momentum-shifting two-pointer to reclaim the lead in what would become a critical swing.

Tatsuki Kishikawa responded immediately for EPIC.EXE, levelling the scores and keeping his side’s hopes alive. But it was Uda Ryuhei who took control of the game from there. On back-to-back possessions, he first knocked down a two-pointer from the opposite wing and then blew by his defender for a clutch layup, turning a tied contest into a two-possession cushion in just 20 seconds.

That electrifying burst from Washimoto and Ryuhei sealed the game and, more importantly, top spot in Pool C for ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE. For EPIC.EXE, despite their resilience and flashes of brilliance, the inability to respond to that decisive sequence proved costly as their tournament hopes came to an end.

POOL C RESULTS

  • Game 1 - HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (21) Def EPIC.EXE (14)
  • Game 2 - ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE (21) Def HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (20)
  • Game 3 - ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE (22) Def EPIC.EXE (17)

POOL C WINNER:

ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE


POOL C NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Uda Ryuhei (ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE) – 9.0 PPG | 41% - 2PT FG%
  • Chu Maduabum (HACHINOHE DIME.EXE) - 10.5 PPG | 88% FG%
  • Julio Claver De Assis Afonso (EPIC.EXE) - 4.5 PPG | 87% - 1PT FG%

POOL D

  • BEEFMAN.EXE - 235 EXE POINTS | 64% Winning% | 16.8 PPG
  • EDEN.EXE - 190 EXE POINTS | 25% Winning% | 13.8 PPG
  • IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE - 245 EXE POINTS | 55% Winning% | 18.0 PPG

POOL D MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Tobori, Yamato, and Noro Lead BEEFMAN.EXE Past IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE

Both BEEFMAN.EXE and IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE entered their final Pool D matchup looking to break out from the middle of the standings pack and make a move toward knockout round qualification. With both teams showing flashes of potential throughout the season, this game offered a critical opportunity to build momentum and secure progression.

The tension was evident early and remained high as the teams traded blows. When Yuki Kurosawa buried a two-point shot to tie the game at 7 apiece with five minutes remaining, it signalled a shift into crunch time. From that point, the game hung in the balance, with each possession becoming more meaningful.

That balance was broken by BEEFMAN.EXE’s clinical execution and depth. With Haruki Tobori, Ito Yamato, and Tatsuhito Noro all contributing on the scoreboard, and IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE struggling with foul trouble, BEEFMAN.EXE ripped off a 6–0 run over the next three minutes. The scoring burst gave them a commanding lead and drained momentum from their opponents.

The run proved to be the knockout blow. Despite their early resilience, IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE couldn’t recover from the deficit, as BEEFMAN.EXE calmly closed out a 17–12 victory. That separation not only secured the win but also ensured BEEFMAN.EXE’s advancement, making their balanced attack and disciplined stretch run the key difference in Pool D.

POOL D RESULTS

  • Game 1 - IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE (17) Def EDEN.EXE (16)
  • Game 2 - BEEFMAN.EXE (19) Def EDEN.EXE (14)
  • Game 3 - BEEFMAN.EXE (17) Def IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE (12)

POOL D WINNER:

BEEFMAN.EXE


POOL D NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Toshitaka Umebayashi (BEEFMAN.EXE) - 5.8 PPG | 54% - 1 PT%
  • Spencer Jennings (IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 38% - 1 PT%
  • Tsukasa Nishimura (EDEN.EXE) - 6.5PPG | 41% - 1 PT%

SEMI FINAL 1

TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE vs ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE

Gilligan and Dewa Drive ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE Into Yet Another Final

Making their first semifinal appearance of the 2025 3x3.EXE Premier season, TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE stepped onto the court riding momentum and belief. But standing across from them was the model of consistency, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE, who had reached the semifinals in all five rounds so far. It was a matchup of hunger versus experience, and it didn’t take long for both teams to lean into their identities.

TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE looked to establish their inside presence immediately, feeding Michael Phillips for an opening basket. Meanwhile, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE’s Jevonnie Scott missed a couple of early looks under the rim, and TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE briefly held the edge. But it wasn’t long before Scott corrected course, attacking the left lane and finishing off the glass to get ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE on the board.

While TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE had found freedom getting to the rim in earlier pool play, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE brought a level of physicality that clogged up driving lanes and disrupted flow. Ryoichi Dewa added to the early pressure with a smooth runner that nudged ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE into the lead, before Okoye Peter Junior managed to respond with a score of his own, highlighting the gritty back-and-forth nature of the battle.

Scott began asserting himself more confidently, hitting back-to-back baskets to re-establish ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE’s rhythm. But TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE’s interior duo refused to go away quietly, Michael Phillips hit a fading elbow jumper before Okoye Peter Junior scored again to level things at 4-all. It was clear this semifinal would be won not just by talent, but by endurance and execution.

As TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE leaned heavily on Phillips and Peter Junior to keep pace, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE diversified their offence. Contributions came from all four players, showcasing the depth that has made ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE a perennial threat this season. With five minutes remaining and the scores tied at 7–7, TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE committed their seventh team foul, a turning point, as every subsequent defensive foul would result in two free throws for ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE.

Scott made one of two from the line to push ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE ahead 8–7, but Phillips countered immediately for TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE. Dewa then sliced through the lane for another floater, only for Peter Junior to respond once again under the rim. TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE momentarily snatched back the lead with a strong drive from Yusuke Mukai, but ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE’s Dewa answered with the game’s first two-point shot, swinging the lead back in his team’s favour.

Momentum hung in the balance until Makoto Fujine and Peter Junior traded baskets, but ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE began to separate themselves with timely cuts and interior finishes. Fujine’s sharp baseline movement gave ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE a two-point cushion before Devin Richard Gilligan added a three-point play opportunity, extending the gap for the first time. Although Scott missed both free throws, he quickly recovered to put back the rebound and stretch the lead.

TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE showed signs of life when Mukai banked in a difficult two to cut the deficit to 18–15. But it was too little, too late. ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE closed the game with precision, a free throw, a strong drive, and a composed assist from Gilligan pushed the score to 20–15. Phillips added one final drive for TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE, but Gilligan returned fire with two made free throws and a wide-open two-pointer to cap off a commanding 22–14 win.

SCORE

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (22) Def TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE (14)

SEMI FINAL 2

ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE vs BEEFMAN.EXE

Free Throws Make the Difference as BEEFMAN.EXE Advance to the Final

The second semi-final of the day brought together two tactical and well-drilled squads in BEEFMAN.EXE and ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE, teams that mirrored each other in both style and scoring output, each averaging around 17 points per game across pool play. With speed, spacing, and ball movement defining both units, this matchup was always going to be about execution under pressure.

BEEFMAN.EXE struck first, executing a clean pick-and-roll with Ito Yamato lofting a perfectly timed pass to Toshitaka Umebayashi for the opening score. ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE took longer to settle, going scoreless on their first five trips before Shogo Washimoto broke through with a deep two just before the shot clock expired. Shin Soma followed with another two on the next possession, and suddenly the tempo lifted.

ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE began to build rhythm as Chuji Shimoda and Uda Ryuhei took turns beating their defenders off the dribble. Yet BEEFMAN.EXE responded calmly, with Haruki Tobori and Tatsuhito Noro slipping inside for well-crafted layups to keep the contest tight. Still, it was ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE who looked the sharper side early, edging ahead 6–3.

That advantage was quickly erased when BEEFMAN.EXE hit back-to-back perimeter shots, first a deep basket from Yamato, then a smooth two-pointer from Tobori, flipping the lead in their favour. With both teams trading offensive rebounds and second-chance points, Umebayashi gave BEEFMAN.EXE breathing room with another two from the top, but missed free throws prevented them from pulling further away.

ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE stopped the bleeding with Ryuhei finding space in the paint for a much-needed finish, only to see Umebayashi connect once more from deep, building a four-point margin at 12–8. Foul trouble began creeping into ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE’s rotations, but they stayed composed, Ryuhei drew a foul from beyond the arc and sank two free throws to keep his team alive.

As the tension escalated, Noro found a gap on a backdoor cut to score, but Washimoto quickly answered with a two of his own. Ryuhei added a high-arcing elbow jumper over the defence to tie the game at 13–13, with just over two minutes remaining, a classic semi-final now coming down to nerves and discipline.

It was foul pressure that ultimately tilted the scale. With ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE over the limit, BEEFMAN.EXE calmly converted their next four points from the free throw line, opening a 17–13 lead. But Washimoto wasn't finished, scoring twice in quick succession to cut the deficit to two with under a minute left.

In the final seconds, with time slipping away and the crowd on edge, Ryuhei launched a deep shot that fell just short, but Shimoda secured the offensive rebound and kicked it back out. With barely a second remaining, Ryuhei rose again, fouled on the release. The first free throw bounced off the back iron. The second dropped clean. It left BEEFMAN.EXE with the ball and a one-point lead, just enough to run down the clock and secure a dramatic 17–16 win and a place in the final.

SCORE

BEEFMAN.EXE (17) Def ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE (16)

Grand FINAL

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE vs BEEFMAN.EXE

Scott and Fujine Lead ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE Past Shorthanded BEEFMAN.EXE in Round 5 Final

Despite playing a combined 34 games in the 2025 3x3.EXE Premier Japan season, this was the first meeting between two of the most consistent teams to date: ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE and BEEFMAN.EXE. The final brought together two distinct styles, the size, discipline, and defensive tenacity of ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE against the fast-paced, perimeter-focused offence of BEEFMAN.EXE. With ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE entering the final as the top-ranked team in the league, and BEEFMAN.EXE fresh off a clutch semifinal escape, the stage was set for a compelling showdown.

BEEFMAN.EXE struck first, with Toshitaka Umebayashi slicing past his defender from the top of the arc for a clean finish. But ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE responded like seasoned finalists, Jevonnie Scott delivered two quick scores inside and followed with a block on the perimeter that ignited a fast-break assist to Devin Richard Gilligan. The intensity ratcheted up immediately, with both teams trading strategic blows in the opening minutes.

Tatsuhito Noro responded for BEEFMAN.EXE with a confident two-pointer to level the score, but ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE maintained composure. A free throw from Scott and a strong drive from Makoto Fujine pushed them into a 6–3 lead. Then disaster struck for BEEFMAN.EXE, Noro collapsed to the floor clutching his calf after contesting a drive, leaving his side down a rotation and facing a fitness crisis on the biggest stage.

Sensing the opportunity, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE pounced. Scott continued his dominance inside, scoring three unanswered points to stretch the lead further. Haruki Tobori managed to stop the run briefly with a tough inside finish, and Umebayashi carried the offensive load in Noro’s absence with multiple scores in the paint. Still, the margin continued to grow as ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE exploited BEEFMAN.EXE’s lack of depth.

Fujine found space beyond the arc and buried consecutive two-point shots, capitalising on late closeouts and heavy legs from the undermanned BEEFMAN.EXE side. Scott added another powerful layup, and Ryoichi Dewa stepped in with a midrange jumper to push the lead to 16–6 with over five minutes still on the clock. ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE’s tempo, spacing, and balance were now on full display.

After a brief recovery on the bench, Noro courageously returned to the floor to help slow down ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE’s rhythm. While the scoreboard remained lopsided, his presence brought composure back to BEEFMAN.EXE’s defence. But ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE continued to execute with precision. Gilligan orchestrated two key plays, first using a dribble hand-off to create space for Dewa, and then delivering a no-look pass to the same target cutting into the lane.

Umebayashi never stopped working, converting two more finishes around the rim to keep the fight alive for BEEFMAN.EXE. But every time they found a spark, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE had an answer. A baseline backdoor cut from Fujine was perfectly timed, and Scott sealed the deal with a strong isolation finish in the post, using his frame and footwork to end the contest in style.

As the buzzer sounded, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE celebrated their fourth championship in five rounds, a dominant campaign that now firmly plants them atop the 3x3.EXE Premier Japan standings with just three rounds remaining. For BEEFMAN.EXE, the performance was a testament to their resilience and teamwork, but it was ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE’s depth, discipline, and relentless execution that crowned them Round 5 champions.

SCORE

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (21) Def BEEFMAN.EXE (8)

🏆 MVP – Devin Gilligan (ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE)

7.3 PPG | 80% - 1Pt FG% | 75% FG%

Devin Gilligan once again proved why he’s one of the most complete players in 3x3.EXE Premier, earning MVP honours for Round 5 after a dominant all-around showing. While his offensive efficiency was unmatched, shooting 75% from the field and averaging 7.3 points per game, it was his impact beyond the stat sheet that truly set him apart. Gilligan’s leadership was on full display throughout the round, guiding ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE with poise, vocal communication, and a relentless competitive edge that kept his team composed in key moments.

In one of the pool games, Gilligan exploded for a game-high 13 points, showcasing his scoring versatility and ability to take over when it mattered most. But it was his vision, defensive reads, and unselfish decision-making that anchored ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE’s success all day. Whether delivering a pinpoint assist off a broken play or rotating seamlessly on defence, Gilligan was the glue that held it all together, and his latest MVP nod only strengthens his case as one of the league’s elite two-way threats.

Standings

Links

FIBA 3x3 Event PageFIBA 3x3 Event Link
YouTube LinkYoutube Link
3x3.EXE Standings3x3.EXE Standings
3x3.EXE Schedule3x3.EXE Schedule

Written by Andrew Cannings