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Sendai Heats Up in the Race to the 2025 3x3.EXE PLAYOFFS

The road to the 2025 3x3.EXE Premier playoffs tightened in Sendai as all 36 men’s teams hit the court for Round 6, each battling through their three-team pools with little room for error. With just three rounds remaining in the regular season, Day 1 was less about pacing and more about execution — and every possession mattered. Whether fighting to stay inside the top 12 or making a late push into the top 20, the pressure was undeniable across all 12 pools.

From dramatic finishes to breakout performances, Day 1 provided no shortage of storylines. SPINNERS.EXE finally broke through after a season of near-misses, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE were forced to dig deep to stay unbeaten, and veteran-laden squads like SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE and BEEFMAN.EXE showcased the kind of poise that could carry them deep into the playoffs. Meanwhile, teams like SIMON.EXE and UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE proved that momentum, not just rankings, would be the true currency of Round 6.

As the dust settles on the pool stage, 16 teams now move forward into Day 2’s knockout rounds. For some, it’s another step in a consistent campaign. For others, it’s a chance to rewrite their season entirely. Either way, the message from Sendai is clear — the level is rising, and the margin for error is disappearing fast.

POOL A

  • HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE (10th) - 310 EXE POINTS | 53% Winning% | 16.9 PPG
  • SIMON.EXE (13th) - 305 EXE POINTS | 50% Winning% | 18.1 PPG
  • SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE (29th) - 230 EXE POINTS | 10% Winning% | 15.5 PPG

POOL A MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Fujisawa’s Two-Point Dagger Sends HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE Into Day 2

With the playoff race tightening and just three rounds remaining in the season, the final game of Pool A carried serious weight for both SIMON.EXE and HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE. Each squad entered the matchup teetering on the edge of the elimination line, and the stakes were unmistakably high, a win could mean survival into Day 2, while a loss risked slipping out of playoff contention altogether.

SIMON.EXE started with purpose, racing out to a 9–5 lead behind the steady play of Cheick Keita, whose interior presence kept HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE on the back foot early. The momentum appeared to tilt toward SIMON.EXE, who were dictating the pace and finishing through contact with consistency. Their defensive switches were sharp, and it looked as though they would ride that early surge through to victory.

But HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE had other plans. Led by the late-game heroics of Shingo Maeda and Hirotaka Fujisawa, HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE clawed their way back into the contest with a balanced offensive approach. The turning point came in the final stretch when Keita converted a driving layup to push SIMON.EXE to 16 points. However, in a swift and brutal counterpunch, Fujisawa nailed a huge two-pointer, a shot that flipped the momentum entirely and gave HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE a decisive lead they would not relinquish.

In the end, both teams walked away with more than just a moral victory. By scoring 16 or more points, both SIMON.EXE and HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE edged out SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE from Pool H and booked their place in Day 2 of Round 6. It was a gritty, playoff-style battle that left no margin for error, and in a game where every possession mattered, it was the clutch shooting of HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE that proved the difference.

POOL A RESULTS

  • Game 1 - HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE (21) Def SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE (12)
  • Game 2 - SIMON.EXE (21) Def SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE (12)
  • Game 3 - HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE (21) Def SIMON.EXE (16)

POOL A WINNER:

HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE


POOL A NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Hirotaka Fujisawa (HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE) – 10.0 PPG | 64% - 2PT FG%
  • Mike Harry (SIMON.EXE) - 7.3 PPG | 50% FG%
  • Yuki Iwadare (SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE) - 5.5 PPG | 40% - 2PT  FG%

POOL B

  • ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE (8th) - 325 EXE POINTS | 56% Winning% | 17.8 PPG
  • UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE (14th) - 300 EXE POINTS | 62% Winning% | 18.6 PPG
  • EDEN.EXE (27th) - 235 EXE POINTS | 20% Winning% | 14.0 PPG

POOL B MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Statement Made: UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE Crush ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE

Sitting 14th on the ladder entering Round 6, UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE knew they needed a spark to stay in the playoff conversation. They opened their campaign in Sendai with a strong win, but it was their second game against ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE that would truly define the day, and potentially their season. With a chance to prove they were still one of the most dangerous teams in 3x3.EXE Premier Japan, UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE came out with purpose.

Right from the opening whistle, UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE played with pace and precision. Their early 5–1 lead was powered by sharp ball movement, selfless spacing, and high-IQ execution that left ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE scrambling to rotate. Every pass felt deliberate, and their collective rhythm forced ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE into early defensive adjustments.

Despite a quick response from ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE to tie the game at 5–5 with just under six minutes to play, that would be the last time they saw the scoreboard. From that moment forward, Yudai Ara took over. The UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE guard exploded for four two-point shots on his way to a 10-point outing, ripping through defenders with confidence and helping his side string together a jaw-dropping 16–0 run to close the game.

The final score, 21–5, sent a clear message to the rest of the league: UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE are far from finished. With their backs against the wall, they responded with their most complete performance of the season, combining suffocating defense with clinical shot-making. If momentum was what they needed, they certainly found it in Sendai.

POOL B RESULTS

  • Game 1 - ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE (21) Def EDEN.EXE (15)
  • Game 2 - UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE (21) Def EDEN.EXE (12)
  • Game 3 - UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE (21) Def ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE (5)

POOL B WINNER:

UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE


POOL B NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Tsukasa Nishimura (EDEN.EXE) – 8.0 | 63% - 1PT FG%
  •  Yukimoto Wakabayashi (ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE) – 5.0 | 33% - 1PT FG%
  •  Yudai Ara (UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE) - 6.6 | 53% FG%

POOL C

  • TOKYO VERDY.EXE (5th) - 335 EXE POINTS | 57% Winning% | 18.3 PPG
  • TOKYO DIME.EXE (16th) - 290 EXE POINTS | 62% Winning% | 19.0 PPG
  • 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE (24th) - 240 EXE POINTS | 30% Winning% | 14.2 PPG

POOL C MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Shooting Duel Decided by One Man: Oguchi Delivers for TOKYO VERDY.EXE

The Pool C clash between TOKYO VERDY.EXE and TOKYO DIME.EXE was always going to be one to circle on the schedule. With both teams coming off strong wins over 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE, the stage was set for an all-Tokyo showdown that carried major implications, not just for pool honours, but for potential qualification into Day 2. The tension was high, and the execution was even higher.

Early on, both squads shared the scoring load, with players from each side stepping into rhythm. But as the game progressed, the match began to take shape around a trio of sharpshooters. Riku Oguchi from TOKYO VERDY.EXE found himself trading long-range blows with Yu Nishiune and Masahiro Komatsu from TOKYO DIME.EXE, with each possession becoming a test of timing, spacing, and shot-making.

With less than 40 seconds remaining and the game hanging in the balance, TOKYO VERDY.EXE ran a perfectly timed set play. Oguchi came off a double screen to find daylight, and as he had done all game, he let it fly with confidence. The result? Nothing but net. The shot capped off a personal scoring run that saw Oguchi score the final nine points for his side, finishing with 14 points in a performance that blended composure and clutch precision.

In a game defined by elite perimeter shooting, it was Oguchi’s late-game takeover that proved decisive. TOKYO VERDY.EXE not only secured the pool with the win, but stamped their credentials as one of the more explosive offensive units in the competition. For a team looking to peak at the right time, this was a performance that could spark a deep push through the latter stages of the season.

POOL C RESULTS

  • Game 1 - TOKYO VERDY.EXE (21) Def 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE (13)
  • Game 2 - TOKYO DIME.EXE (21) Def 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE (11)
  • Game 3 - TOKYO VERDY.EXE (20) Def TOKYO DIME.EXE (17)

POOL C WINNER:

TOKYO VERDY.EXE


POOL C NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Ataru Sakata (3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE) - 6.5 PPG | 72% - 1PT FG%
  • Yu Nishiune (TOKYO DIME.EXE) - 11.2 PPG | 50% FG%
  •  Riku Oguchi (TOKYO VERDY.EXE) - 10.67 PPG | 44% FG%

POOL D

  • SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE (5th) - 335 EXE POINTS | 65% Winning% | 19.0 PPG
  • HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE (29th) - 230 EXE POINTS | 10% Winning% | 13.2 PPG
  • ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE (18th) - 275 EXE POINTS | 50% Winning% | 17.7 PPG

POOL D MOMENT THAT MATTERED

SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE Hold Off ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE in Back-and-Forth Battle

With their backs against the wall after a loss to HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE, ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE entered their clash with SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE knowing that only a win would keep their Round 6 hopes alive. For SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE, the matchup represented a chance to continue their push toward the top five of the 3x3.EXE Premier standings, and they wasted no time asserting themselves.

From the outset, SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE looked in rhythm. Their inside duo of Yves Niyokwizera and Stephen Hurt proved too much for ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE to handle early, dominating the glass and controlling the tempo. Every entry pass seemed to lead to high-percentage chances, and SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE held a steady advantage through the first half of play.

But ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE refused to go quietly. Shogo Washimoto and Uda Ryuhei found timely scoring opportunities late, and a clutch hustle sequence from Shin Soma brought the energy back to the ZIGEXN bench. Soma somehow kept a loose ball in play and fired a kick-out to Uda, who caught the defense off guard and calmly buried a two-pointer to bring the margin to just two with under 90 seconds left.

SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE, however, responded with veteran poise. On the very next possession, Ryota Iwata crashed the offensive boards, found himself unmarked, and tapped in a clean putback without the ball ever touching the ground. The bucket sealed a thrilling 21–18 win for SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE, a result that solidified their position near the top of the standings while bringing ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE’s Day 2 hopes to an early close.

POOL D RESULTS

  • Game 1 - SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE (22) Def HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE (14)
  • Game 2 - HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE (21) Def ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE (10)
  • Game 3 - SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE (21) Def ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE (18)

POOL D WINNER:

SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE


POOL D NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Kenya Igo (HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE) – 9.0 | 50% - 1 PT%
  •  Stephen Hurt (SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE) - 8.7 PPG | 73% - 1 PT%
  •  Uda Ryuhei (ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE) - 6.5 PPG | 50% - 1 PT%

POOL E

  • BEEFMAN.EXE (9th) - 315 EXE POINTS | 67% Winning% | 16.4 PPG
  • MEGURO SIXERS.EXE (21th) - 245 EXE POINTS | 40% Winning% | 14.7 PPG
  • ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE (36th) - 215 EXE POINTS | 42% Winning% | 15.5 PPG

POOL E MOMENT THAT MATTERED

BEEFMAN.EXE Stay Hot with Clinical Win Over ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE

Fresh off a finals appearance in Round 5, BEEFMAN.EXE came into Round 6 looking to build momentum and solidify their standing among the league’s top contenders. Standing in their way for the first clash of the day was a determined ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE side eager to play spoiler. From the opening tip, it was clear this was going to be more than just a warm-up for BEEFMAN.EXE, it was a fight.

The game ebbed and flowed with moments of grit from both sides. ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE showed no signs of backing down and stayed in touch throughout, refusing to let BEEFMAN.EXE break away entirely. With just over two minutes remaining, Ryohei Shimbo drove hard to the basket and finished a difficult layup, cutting the deficit to just four and injecting fresh belief into the ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE bench.

But BEEFMAN.EXE had a closer waiting. Toshitaka Umebayashi took command on the next possession, calmly dribbling to the wing. Spotting a defensive lapse, he rose up and nailed a clean two-point shot that silenced the comeback attempt. It was a moment that underscored BEEFMAN.EXE’s ability to execute under pressure and a dagger that took the wind out of their opponent’s rally.

Despite ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE making one final push, the deficit was too steep to recover. BEEFMAN.EXE closed the game out 21–17, leaning on experience, timing, and efficient shooting to secure a win that keeps them firmly in the conversation at the top of the standings. It wasn’t flashy, but it was another professional performance from a team with championship ambitions.

POOL E RESULTS

  • Game 1 - BEEFMAN.EXE (21) Def ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE (17)
  • Game 2 - MEGURO SIXERS.EXE (21) Def ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE (15)
  • Game 3 - BEEFMAN.EXE (21) Def MEGURO SIXERS.EXE (11)

POOL E WINNER:

BEEFMAN.EXE


POOL E NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Ryohei Shimbo (ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE) - 6.5 PPG | 75% FG%
  •  Tatsuhito Noro (BEEFMAN.EXE) - 7.5 PPG  | 72% - 1 PT%
  •  Kohei Ishida (MEGURO SIXERS.EXE) - 5.5 PPG | 50% - 2 PT%

POOL F

  • ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (1st) - 480 EXE POINTS | 95% Winning% | 20.6 PPG
  • UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (17th) - 285 EXE POINTS | 46% Winning% | 16.8 PPG
  • SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE (29th) - 230 EXE POINTS | 10% Winning% | 11.7 PPG

POOL F MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Scott and Dewa Flip the Game as ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE Escape Late

The final game on Court 1 to close out Day 1 of Round 6 was also one of the most pivotal, a high-stakes showdown between ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE and UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE. For ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE, it was a chance to defend their position atop the standings. For UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, the matchup carried must-win urgency as they aimed to claw their way into the top 15. The game delivered all the intensity you’d expect from two sides with something to prove.

UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE came out aggressive, and with three and a half minutes remaining, Shota Abe drained his third two-pointer of the game from the left wing. It was the team’s fifth long-range make of the contest, and it gave UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE a 17–14 lead that forced ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE into a timeout. Momentum was leaning heavily toward the underdog, and the crowd could sense an upset brewing.

But the timeout changed everything. Out of the break, Jevonnie Scott beat his defender off the dribble and threw down a thunderous one-handed dunk, igniting the ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE bench. Seconds later, Scott forced a turnover that led to an easy score for Ryoichi Dewa. Then, on the very next UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE possession, Dewa intercepted a pass, kicked it back to Scott, and just like that, the game was tied. In just 15 seconds, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE flipped the script through sheer defensive effort and transition awareness.

That burst of energy proved to be the turning point. ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE closed the contest on a 7–4 run to secure a nail-biting 21–20 victory. It was a game where championship poise met underdog urgency, but in the end, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE showed why they’re the team to beat, responding to adversity with control, hustle, and just enough firepower to stay unbeaten.

POOL F RESULTS

  • Game 1 - ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (22) Def SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE (4)
  • Game 2 - UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (21) Def SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE (12)
  • Game 3 - ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (21) Def UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (20)

POOL F WINNER:

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE


POOL F NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Isogai Reo (SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE) - 3.5 PPG | 50% - 1 PT%
  • Attila Ergir (UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE) - 7.7 PPG | 65% - 1 PT%
  • Jevonnie Scott (ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE) - 8.4 PPG | 60% - 1 PT%

POOL G

  • EPIC.EXE (5th) - 335 EXE POINTS | 69% Winning% | 17.8 PPG
  • TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE (19th) - 270 EXE POINTS | 50% Winning% | 18.2 PPG
  • BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE (34th) - 225 EXE POINTS | 0% Winning% | 10.0 PPG

POOL G MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Kishikawa Calls Game as EPIC.EXE Win Pool G Thriller

The final game of Pool G brought together two teams with plenty of shared history and everything on the line. EPIC.EXE and TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE were not only battling for top spot in the group but also rekindling a rivalry that began back in Round 3, a game EPIC.EXE had won convincingly, 22–15. But this time, the stakes felt higher, and the margin would be razor-thin.

From the outset, both teams leaned on their go-to combinations. For TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE, the interior tandem of Okoye Peter Junior and Michael Phillips created mismatch problems, using strength and timing to carve space in the paint. EPIC.EXE countered with speed and finesse, as Atsushi Isshiki and Tatsuki Kishikawa pushed the tempo with relentless drives and perimeter precision. The rhythm of the game swung back and forth, each possession a chess match of mismatches and counters.

With two minutes remaining and the scores tied at 19, TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE returned to what had worked all game. Yusuke Mukai ran a sharp pick-and-roll with Phillips, threading a perfect bounce pass that led to a strong finish and a 20–19 lead. The momentum seemed to be in TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE’s favour, but EPIC.EXE still had one more answer.

After a missed two-point attempt, Kazuki Shigemoto crashed the offensive glass for EPIC.EXE, collecting the rebound and kicking it back out to Isshiki. Rather than forcing another quick shot, Isshiki wisely opted for a dribble handoff to Kishikawa, who rose with confidence and buried the game-winner. It was a poised, veteran sequence that gave EPIC.EXE a thrilling 21–20 win and confirmed their control of Pool G.

POOL G RESULTS

  • Game 1 - EPIC.EXE (21) Def BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE (16)
  • Game 2 - TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE (21) Def BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE (12)
  • Game 3 - EPIC.EXE (21) Def TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE (20)

POOL G WINNER:

EPIC.EXE


POOL G NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Antuan Person (BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE) - 6.5 PPG | 50% - 1 PT FG%
  •  Tatsuki Kishikawa (EPIC.EXE) - 7.3 PPG | 40% - 2PT FG%
  •  Michael Phillips (TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE) – 7.0 PPG | 73% FG%

POOL H

  • IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE (10th) - 310 EXE POINTS | 64% Winning% | 18.4 PPG
  • SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE (20th) - 265 EXE POINTS | 50% Winning% | 17.0 PPG
  • FUZ HOKKAIDO.EXE (24th) - 240 EXE POINTS | 9% Winning% | 13.8 PPG

POOL H MOMENT THAT MATTERED

IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE Seal the Win as SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE Fall One Point Short

With both teams entering their final game of the day on a high, the clash between IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE and SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE was set to decide the top of Pool H. Beyond just pool positioning, the stakes were particularly high for SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE, who knew that even in defeat, a high enough score could still keep their Day 2 hopes alive. Every point would matter, both on the scoreboard and in the standings.

The game stayed tight through the early exchanges, and with just over five minutes remaining, Ren Chida knocked down a two-pointer to bring SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE within one at 11–12. But that’s when IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE found another gear. In a lightning-fast sequence, Sota Yamada scored five straight points as part of a 6–0 run that pushed IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE out to a commanding lead and shifted the tone of the contest.

Despite the setback, SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE showed resolve. Koji Nagata buried a two and Ren Konno followed up with a layup to bring the score to 16. It was just enough to keep the tie-break scenario alive, if they could hold IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE below 21, they’d stay in the conversation. But on what would prove to be the final sequence, Sota Yamada drove into traffic and hit a contested jumper in the lane, icing the game at 21–16.

The loss was tough, but the number hurt more. SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE ended the day with one win and a respectable point total, but they fell just a single point shy of the cut line for Day 2 qualification, edged out in the tie-breaker by SIMON.EXE. It was a cruel reminder of just how fine the margins are in 3x3.EXE Premier, and how one missed shot or turnover can echo through the standings.

POOL H RESULTS

  • Game 1 - IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE (21) Def FUZ HOKKAIDO.EXE (16)
  • Game 2 - SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE (22) Def FUZ HOKKAIDO.EXE (13)
  • Game 3 - IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE (21) Def SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE (16)

POOL H WINNER:

IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE


POOL H NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Yuto Kimura (FUZ HOKKAIDO.EXE) – 6.0 PPG | 70% FG%
  •  Sota Yamada (IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE) - 8.7 PPG | 78% - 1PT FG%
  •  Ren Chida (SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE) - 9.5 PPG | 50% - 1PT FG%

POOL I

  • SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE (10th) - 310 EXE POINTS | 64% Winning% | 19.8 PPG
  • LEOVISTA.EXE (21st) - 245 EXE POINTS | 40% Winning% | 16.5 PPG
  • ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE (29th) - 230 EXE POINTS | 20% Winning% | 13.1 PPG

POOL I MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Kogawa and Davis Jr Combine to Power LEOVISTA.EXE Over the Line

In a season where both teams have struggled to string wins together, the Pool I showdown between LEOVISTA.EXE and ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE represented a valuable opportunity, not just to climb the ladder, but to build confidence heading into the final stretch of the 2025 3x3.EXE Premier campaign. With pride and progression on the line, both teams brought their full intensity to the floor.

The defensive tone was set early. At the five-minute mark, the game remained tied at 6–6, with both squads locking in on every possession. ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE leaned on the hustle and defensive effort of Keito Sakurai and Ryuto Gonda, while Ross Davis Jr controlled the paint for LEOVISTA.EXE, altering shots and anchoring their interior presence.

Then came the breakthrough. As fatigue began to settle in, Davis Jr took full advantage of his size mismatch, scoring five quick points inside as part of a 6–0 run that gave LEOVISTA.EXE the breathing room they had been chasing. The spurt opened up space around the arc, stretched the defense, and allowed LEOVISTA.EXE to control the tempo from that point forward.

Despite the best efforts of ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE, including strong looks for Yoshinao Nitto and Sakurai they couldn’t close the gap. Kuon Kogawa continued to prove why he’s one of LEOVISTA.EXE’s most reliable scoring options, applying the finishing touches on a 21–15 win. It may not have been a glamour match, but it was an important step for LEOVISTA.EXE in a season still waiting for its defining moment

POOL I RESULTS

  • Game 1 - SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE (22) Def ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE (5)
  • Game 2 - LEOVISTA.EXE (21) Def ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE (15)
  • Game 3 - SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE (21) Def LEOVISTA.EXE (10)

POOL I WINNER:

SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE


POOL I NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Keito Sakurai (ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 40% FG%
  •  Kuon Kogawa (LEOVISTA.EXE) - 5.5 PPG  | 71% - 1PT FG%
  •  Yuto Maita (SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE) – 6.0 PPG | 75% - 1PT FG%

POOL J

  • HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (3rd) - 400 EXE POINTS | 83% Winning% | 20.1 PPG
  • TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE (24th) - 240 EXE POINTS | 40% Winning% | 16.0 PPG
  • YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE (27th) - 235 EXE POINTS | 20% Winning% | 12.6 PPG

POOL J MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Twos and Free Throws Seal It for HACHINOHE DIME.EXE

HACHINOHE DIME.EXE entered Round 6 sitting third on the overall standings and aimed to solidify their position with a favourable draw in Pool J. Their opening test came against YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE, a team that wasn’t going to roll over easily. What followed was a spirited contest where every momentum shift had playoff implications.

YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE kept things tight in the early stages, riding timely buckets from Hiroki Sugiyama and Ryo Sugimoto to stay within striking distance. With just four minutes remaining, they had pulled back to within one at 13–12. It was a performance full of grit and execution, and it looked like the upset-minded side might just flip the pool.

But then HACHINOHE DIME.EXE found their rhythm. Yasuki Miyakoshi and Chihiro Sawagashira both connected from beyond the arc in a two-minute burst that stretched the lead back to five. That run proved to be the separation they needed, as YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE suddenly went cold. Despite several good looks, the next few possessions came up empty, allowing HACHINOHE DIME.EXE to take control.

To their credit, Sugiyama came roaring back with a pair of late baskets to cut the deficit, but the earlier drought left too much to recover. HACHINOHE DIME.EXE closed out the game with composed free-throw shooting from Sawagashira and Taishi Kakuta, sealing a 21–17 win. It wasn’t perfect, but it was another result that kept HACHINOHE DIME.EXE well within reach of a playoff push as Round 6 rolled on.

POOL J RESULTS

  • Game 1 - HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (21) Def YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE (17)
  • Game 2 - TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE (21) Def YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE (16)
  • Game 3 - HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (21) Def TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE (12)

POOL J WINNER:

HACHINOHE DIME.EXE


POOL J NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Chihiro Sawagashira (HACHINOHE DIME.EXE) - 7.7 PPG | 68% - 1PT FG%
  • Vaughn McCALL Ⅱ (TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE) - 7.5 PPG | 56% - 1PT FG%
  • Hiroki Sugiyama (YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE) – 11.0 PPG | 48% FG%

POOL K

  • SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (2nd) - 460 EXE POINTS | 90% Winning% | 20.5 PPG
  • IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE (15th) - 295 EXE POINTS | 54% Winning% | 17.5 PPG
  • SANJO BEATERS.EXE (29th) - 230 EXE POINTS | 10% Winning% | 11.2 PPG

Veteran Composure Pushes SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE to Key Victory

In one of the most anticipated matchups of Day 1, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE met IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE in a game that had direct playoff implications. Both sides came into the final Pool K fixture with Day 2 qualification still on the line, making the contest a must-win in more ways than one. With pressure mounting, it was experience and composure that ultimately separated the two.

The game opened evenly, with the scoreboard tied at 5–5 after three minutes. But then SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE found their rhythm, and they found it fast. Executing crisp pick-and-rolls, Ryo Ozawa, Jan Demsar, and Dušan Samardžić began carving up the IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE defense, exploiting space inside the key and forcing rotations. Ozawa then punctuated the run with back-to-back two-pointers, fueling a game-defining 9–2 surge.

During this stretch, IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE struggled to match SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s tempo. Taroburaitochukuoma Saito and RIKU YAMADA found a few driving lanes, while Spencer Jennings briefly halted the bleeding with a step-back jumper, but the gap had already widened. The run in the middle third of the game effectively closed the window for a comeback.

SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s ability to shift gears mid-game and apply scoreboard pressure proved decisive. With the win, they not only locked in top spot in Pool K but reminded the rest of the field that playoff basketball is built on experience, execution, and control. It was a result that may carry weight well beyond Day 1.

POOL K RESULTS

  • Game 1 - SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (21) Def SANJO BEATERS.EXE (5)
  • Game 2 - IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE (21) Def SANJO BEATERS.EXE (10)
  • Game 3 - SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (22) Def IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE (15)

POOL K WINNER:

SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE


POOL K NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Spencer Jennings (IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE) - 7.5 PPG | 43% - 1PT FG%
  •  H Bagamboula (SANJO BEATERS.EXE) - 2.5 PPG | 45% FG%
  •  Dušan Samardžić (SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE) - 7.2 PPG | 65% FG%

POOL L

  • MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE (4th) - 370 EXE POINTS | 81% Winning% | 19.6 PPG
  • NINJA AIRS.EXE (21st) - 245 EXE POINTS | 40% Winning% | 16.4 PPG
  • SPINNERS.EXE (34th) - 225 EXE POINTS | 0% Winning% | 12.5 PPG

POOL L MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Shiotani’s Clutch Shooting Lifts SPINNERS.EXE to First Win

After a string of heartbreakers, including a stretch of three straight losses by just one or two points, SPINNERS.EXE arrived in Round 6 still searching for their first win of the 2025 season. But what they lacked in results, they more than made up for in fight, and their Pool L clash against NINJA AIRS.EXE was no exception. From tip-off to final buzzer, it was a gritty, defensive battle defined by resilience and determination.

Both teams clearly understood what was at stake, and that intensity showed from the opening possessions. The defenses locked in early, forcing tough looks and limiting second-chance opportunities. At the two-minute mark, it was 3–3. Five minutes in, 8–8. Neither side was giving anything away, and every score felt like a small victory.

SPINNERS.EXE began to create daylight midway through the second half, with Kota Moriya finding his range and Yusuf Joof making smart moves inside. But NINJA AIRS.EXE responded through Kosuke Kashiwao, who buried a long two to bring the game within two points with 90 seconds remaining. Just when it looked like another close finish could slip away, SPINNERS.EXE leaned into the moment.

Driving hard and drawing two defenders, Joof kicked out to a wide-open Takuya Shiotani, who drilled a long-range one-point shot with his toe just shy of the arc. Then, on their next trip down, Shiotani came off a screen on the right wing, rose up with a hand in his face, and buried the dagger from two-point range. It was the shot that sealed a 2025 season breakthrough for SPINNERS.EXE, and the kind of win that felt as deserved as it was emotional.

POOL L RESULTS

  • Game 1 - MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE (21) Def SPINNERS.EXE (7)
  • Game 2 - SPINNERS.EXE (21) Def NINJA AIRS.EXE (16)
  • Game 3 - MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE (22) Def NINJA AIRS.EXE (12)

POOL L WINNER:

MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE


POOL L NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Shugo Bando (MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE) - 7.8 PPG | 43% - 2PT FG%
  •  Issei Ohno (NINJA AIRS.EXE) – 7.0 PPG | 100% - 1PT FG%
  •  Takuya Shiotani (SPINNERS.EXE) - 7.5 PPG | 46% FG%

LOOKING AHEAD TO DAY 2

Day 1 of Round 6 in Sendai delivered everything 3x3.EXE Premier fans could ask for, clutch performances, hard-fought comebacks, and season-defining moments. From SPINNERS.EXE finally breaking their drought to ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE surviving a late scare, the pool stage offered a snapshot of just how competitive this season has become. Twelve pools narrowed down to sixteen teams, each with a different path to this point, and now, it’s win or go home.

As we look ahead to Day 2, the Round of 16 matchups present a series of intriguing storylines. In Game 1, powerhouse SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (2nd overall) will face a hungry SIMON.EXE squad (13th) who scraped through the tie-breaker with everything to prove. Game 2 features a clash of top-five teams as SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE (5th) face MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE (4th) in a heavyweight showdown that could shape the playoff bracket moving forward.

Elsewhere, EPIC.EXE and TOKYO VERDY.EXE, both tied in the standings at 5th, go head-to-head in what promises to be one of the most evenly matched contests of the day. Meanwhile, UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (17th) will try to ride yesterday’s momentum into a massive upset against a resurgent UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE (14th), fresh off their statement win in Pool B.

Other battles include SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE (10th) taking on TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE (19th), and IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE (10th) testing their late-round form against HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (3rd). In a clash of physicality, BEEFMAN.EXE (9th) will go up against the gritty HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE (10th). Finally, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (1st) enter the knockout stage as the top seed, but will be tested early by TOKYO DIME.EXE (16th), who have enough firepower to cause problems.

The margins are razor-thin, the stakes have never been higher — and by the end of Day 2, only eight will remain.

From the pool chaos the round of 16 matchups have emerged:

  • Game 1 - SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (2nd) vs SIMON.EXE (13th)
  • Game 2 - SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE (5th) vs MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE (4th)
  • Game 3 - EPIC.EXE (5th) vs TOKYO VERDY.EXE (5th)
  • Game 4 – UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (17th) vs UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE (14th)
  • Game 5 – SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE (10th) vs TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE (19th)
  • Game 6 – IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE (10th) vs HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (3rd)
  • Game 7 – BEEFMAN.EXE (9th) vs HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE (10th)
  • Game 8 – TOKYO DIME.EXE (16th) vs ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (1st)

The path to the podium only gets tougher from here. Who will rise? Who will fall? Day 2 is ready to answer the question.

Links

FIBA 3x3 Event PageFIBA 3x3 Event Link
YouTube LinkYoutube Link - Court A
YouTube LinkYoutube Link - Court B
YouTube LinkYoutube Link - Day 2 (Finals)
3x3.EXE Standings3x3.EXE Standings
3x3.EXE Schedule3x3.EXE Schedule

Written by Andrew Cannings