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Round 5 Day 2 - Chiba
SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE and HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE Headline Group 2 Showdown
As Round 5 Group 2 of the 3x3.EXE Premier Japan season descended on Tokyo Bay, Chiba, eight teams across four pools battled for semi-final berths. In Pool A, 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE faced SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE; Pool B saw SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE take on UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE; TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE met ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE in Pool C; and Pool D pitted TOKYO DIME.EXE against LEOVISTA.EXE. Each matchup packed half-court intensity as squads sought to flip momentum into the season’s second half.
Drama peaked in the knockout stage, where SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE and HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE emerged from their semi-finals with contrasting journeys. SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE leaned on veteran poise to subdue UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, while HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE rode balanced scoring and late-game heroics past TOKYO DIME.EXE. Those wins set up a Grand Final clash that combined defensive mastery, sharp shooting, and clutch plays worthy of any major 3x3 stage.
This article breaks down the “Moments That Mattered” from each pool’s key encounter, delivers narrative-rich recaps of both semi-finals and the Grand Final, and closes with the day’s MVP performance by Ryo Ozawa of SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE. Expect simple, data-forward storytelling designed to translate cleanly into Japanese while preserving the raw excitement of 3x3 basketball.
POOL A
- 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE - 190 EXE POINTS | 25% Winning% | 14.5 PPG
- SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE - 185 EXE POINTS | 13% Winning% | 12.0 PPG
- SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE - 360 EXE POINTS | 88% Winning% | 20.3 PPG
POOL A MOMENT THAT MATTERED
Kaneko’s Clutch 2 Lifts 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE Past SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE
3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE and SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE came into their Pool A clash level on form, just five points apart on the 3x3.EXE Premier Japan ladder and both smarting from opening defeats to SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE.
Early on, SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE’s Isogai Reo struck quickly, sinking back-to-back 2s to build a small cushion for the Hearts.
3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE answered stoutly, chipping away until Reo’s finish pulled SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE within a single 2 with three minutes remaining. SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE called a timeout to regroup; however, on the restart they missed two interior attempts and then fouled Ataru Sakata, who calmly drained both free throws from the stripe.
In the decisive possession, SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE collapsed defensively on a drive leaving Riku Kaneko unmarked to bury the winning 2. That clutch basket secured 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE’s third victory of the season.
POOL A RESULTS
- Game 1 - SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (22) Def SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE (6)
- Game 2 -SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (21) Def 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE (4)
- Game 3 - 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE (22) Def SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE (15)
POOL A WINNER:
SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE
POOL A NOTABLE SCORERS:
- Isogai Reo (SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 26% FG%
- Riku Kaneko (3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 25% FG%
- Ryo Ozawa (SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE) – 8.3 PPG | 45% - 2 PT%
POOL B
- SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE - 260 EXE POINTS | 67% Winning% | 19.7 PPG
- UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE - 215 EXE POINTS | 40% Winning% | 16.2 PPG
- YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE - 190 EXE POINTS | 25% Winning% | 13.6 PPG
POOL B MOMENT THAT MATTERED
Mashiko’s Corner 2 Caps UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE’s Stunning Rally
SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE arrived in Pool B on a high after dismantling YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE in their opener, intent on stringing together wins to cement a top-10 spot in the 3x3.EXE Premier Japan standings. UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, fresh off their first semi-final appearance last round, were equally determined to bounce back and return to the knockout stage.
Midway through the contest, SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE looked firmly in control. A smooth drive and layup by Naoto Ito pushed the Wildcats into a 17–12 lead with four-and-a-half minutes on the clock, and their crisp ball movement had UENOHARA scrambling.
But UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE answered emphatically. Over the next two minutes they ripped off a 6–1 run, forcing SHINAGAWA into tough defensive rotations. The surge peaked when Kifu Mashiko drilled a corner 2 to tie the scores, swinging momentum firmly in the UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE’s favour.
What followed was the defining stretch: SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE, who’d been lights-out in the opening five minutes, went silent for ninety seconds. Two missed free throws compounded their drought, and UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE seized the chance to edge ahead, ultimately prevailing 21–20. That pivotal cold spell underscored the Sunrise’s resilience and handed the Wildcats a bitter defeat.
POOL B RESULTS
- Game 1 - SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE (21) Def YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE (7)
- Game 2 - UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (21) Def SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE (20)
- Game 3 - UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (21) Def YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE (10)
POOL B WINNER:
UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE
POOL B NOTABLE SCORERS:
- Hiroto Takeda (SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE) – 7.0 PPG | 68% - 1 PT%
- Shota Abe (UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE) – 7.3 PPG | 64% FG%
- Ryo Sugimoto (YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE) – 4.0 PPG | 53% - 1 PT%
POOL C
- HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE - 230 EXE POINTS | 45% Winning% | 16.4 PPG
- TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE - 190 EXE POINTS | 38% Winning% | 16.5 PPG
- ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE - 170 EXE POINTS | 50% Winning% | 15.6 PPG
POOL C MOMENT THAT MATTERED
TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE Hold Off ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE in Final-Second Thriller
TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE and ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE both arrived in Pool C desperate for a spark, having struggled to find wins earlier in the season. Each side eyed this opener as a chance to face an opponent of similar calibre and kickstart their campaign.
TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE seized control early, ripping off a 9–4 run that saw Rikiya Kato and company dictate the pace. Their precise 2s and locked-in defence left ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE chasing from the outset.
ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE stormed back with a 6–1 burst, ignited by back-to-back layups from Kyle Hikage. But TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE answered immediately: Kato and Vaughn McCALL II sank consecutive 2s to engineer another 9–4 surge, pushing the TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE to a 19–14 cushion with just 45 seconds remaining.
The closing sequence was pure drama. Ren Kikuchi’s bobbled 2 snuck through, and Hikage nearly added a deep heave that clipped in off his toe. TARUI missed their next look, then Siyuan Zhu’s layup brought ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE within one. With time evaporating, the ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE couldn’t foul, leaving McCALL II wide open, he swished a 2 as the buzzer sounded, sealing a 21–18 win and dashing ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE’s comeback hopes.
POOL C RESULTS
- Game 1 - TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE (21) Def ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE (18)
- Game 2 - HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE (21) Def ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE (12)
- Game 3 - HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE (21) Def TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE (7)
POOL C WINNER:
HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE
POOL C NOTABLE SCORERS:
- Vaughn McCALL Ⅱ(TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE) – 7.5 PPG | 45% FG%
- Ren Kikuchi (ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 75% - 2pt FG%
- Hirotaka Fujisawa (HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE ) – 8.3 PPG | 53% FG%
POOL D
- BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE - 180 EXE POINTS | 0% Winning% | 9.9 PPG
- LEOVISTA.EXE - 195 EXE POINTS | 38% Winning% | 16.3 PPG
- TOKYO DIME.EXE - 230 EXE POINTS | 60% Winning% | 19.1 PPG
POOL D MOMENT THAT MATTERED
Nishiune’s Scoring Barrage Powers TOKYO DIME.EXE Past LEOVISTA.EXE
TOKYO DIME.EXE and LEOVISTA.EXE arrived in Pool D both eager to springboard their uneven seasons into a strong second half. Each squad carried offensive firepower, Yu Nishiune for TOKYO DIME.EXE and Kuon Kogawa for LEOVISTA.EXE, both ranking among the top ten scorers per game in 3x3.EXE Premier Japan.
Early on, the focus was on how each defence would contain the opposition’s go-to weapon. TOKYO DIME.EXE’s rotations keyed in on Kogawa, forcing LEOVISTA.EXE’s offence to seek alternative looks.
Through the first eight minutes, that strategy paid off handsomely: Nishiune poured in nine points, while Kogawa was limited to a single basket, giving TOKYO DIME.EXE a 16–9 cushion. LEOVISTA.EXE struggled to find rhythm against the intense defence.
Ultimately, TOKYO DIME.EXE leaned on that defensive edge and Nishiune’s late scoring to close out an 18–13 victory. Nishiune finished with 11 points, and LEOVISTA.EXE couldn’t overcome the pressure, as Kogawa ended on five.
POOL D RESULTS
- Game 1 - TOKYO DIME.EXE (18) Def LEOVISTA.EXE (13)
- Game 2 - TOKYO DIME.EXE (21) Def BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE (13)
- Game 3 - LEOVISTA.EXE (22) Def BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE (8)
POOL D WINNER:
TOKYO DIME.EXE
POOL D NOTABLE SCORERS:
- Yu Nishiune (TOKYO DIME.EXE) – 8.0 PPG | 56% - 1 PT%
- Kuon Kogawa (LEOVISTA.EXE) – 9.0 PPG | 57% - 1 PT%
- Sigurd Sandal (BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 58% - 1 PT%
SEMI FINAL 1
SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE vs UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE
Samardžić and Saito Power SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE Past UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE 21–15
SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE and UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE met in Semi-Final 1 with contrasting journeys: UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE had scraped through tight pool battles to qualify, while SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE arrived having allowed just ten points total across two games. Both teams saw this as a chance to build momentum heading into the Grand Final.
On the opening possession, UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE’s Attila Ergir drove to the rim for an early 2, staking his side to the first lead. SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE answered at once: Dušan Samardžić weaved past defenders for a layup, then Ryoma Saito lifted the crowd with a 2 from the top of the arc, knotting the score at 3–3 after one minute.
UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE struck again when Kifu Mashiko buried a contested corner 2, and Ergir followed with a strong finish in traffic to edge his team ahead. Yet SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE refused to cede control, Samardžić drilled another layup and Saito knocked down a wing 2 to keep the contest tight.
Over the next two minutes, the teams traded blows in end-to-end action. Ryo Ozawa and Jan Demsar each scored for SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE, while Ergir and Shota Abe kept UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE in contention, leading to a 9–9 deadlock after three minutes.
Then SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE seized the initiative with a 6–1 burst. Jan Demsar sliced through the lane for a finish, Ryo Ozawa calmly converted both free throws after drawing a foul, and Dušan Samardžić capped the run with a powerful layup, opening a 15–11 cushion and forcing UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE to call timeout just before the midway break.
Out of the timeout, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s offence cooled as they managed only a single 2 over the next two minutes. UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE struggled to capitalise fully, producing only a couple of scores from Ergir and Mashiko, leaving the margin at 17–13 with under three minutes to play.
With SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE now over the foul limit, they sent Shota Abe to the stripe. Abe sank both free throws to pull his team within one and inject hope into the contest, trimming the lead to 17–16 with just under three minutes remaining.
SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE answered instantly. Dušan Samardžić drilled a catch-and-shoot 2, then Ryoma Saito orchestrated crisp ball movement that led to an easy finish from a teammate. When UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE fouled Tomoya Ochiai on the next trip, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE subbed in Ryoma Saito at the line, he coolly sank both attempts, completing a decisive 5–0 closing run and sealing a 21–15 victory for SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE.
SCORE
SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (21) Def UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (15)
SEMI FINAL 2
HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE vs TOKYO DIME.EXE
Rhinos’ Balanced Attack Edges TOKYO DIME.EXE in 22-17 Thriller
HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE and TOKYO DIME.EXE faced off in Semi-Final 2 with very different stakes: the Rhinos chasing their second final appearance of the season (their first since Round 2), and Dime seeking a return to the title game for the first time since 2024.
TOKYO DIME.EXE jumped out first as Koki Higashino cashed in on the opening possession. HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE answered when Shingo Maeda finished off a slick no-look feed from Yuya Ohno, and Ohno himself drew contact on the next trip, converting an And-1 to give the Rhinos their first lead.
All eyes were on Yu Nishiune for TOKYO DIME.EXE, but he showed his playmaking chops early, dropping a pass to Wataru Kuroda under the hoop for a simple finish. That assist revived Dime’s momentum, before Ohno, undeterred, buried a heavily contested deep 2 with seconds to spare on the shot clock, swinging the advantage back to HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE.
On TOKYO DIME.EXE’s next possession, Nishiune finally got his first long-range look and buried the 2 while drawing a foul, knotting the score and proving his dual-threat status. He stepped to the line and knocked down the free throw to complete a three-point play and level the contest.
Wataru Kuroda followed with a driving layup to put TOKYO DIME.EXE back ahead, but Hibiki Osawa responded in kind, draining a wing 2 to restore the HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE’s lead. From there both teams traded baskets in a high-octane finish to the opening half, Sohta Okuyama hit a deep shot for HOKUSO, and then Nishiune and Masahiro Komatsu each knocked down threes for TOKYO DIME.EXE, sending players to the timeout deadlocked at 13–13.
The second half began with HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE executing to perfection. Osawa calmly sank two free throws after drawing a foul on the rebound, and Ohno beat his defender in isolation for a swift layup, opening a 17–13 margin. Yet TOKYO DIME.EXE refused to fold, as Kuroda navigated through two defenders and finished strong at the rim to keep Dime within striking distance.
Hirotaka Fujisawa then punctuated the night for HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE, drilling a big 2 to push the lead back to four. Nishiune connected on consecutive assists, first to Kuroda, then to Komatsu bringing the score to 18–16. But Fujisawa and Osawa combined on back-to-back baskets to stretch the gap again, and after another layup by Dime, Fujisawa found space at the top of the arc and nailed the game-winner. HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE advanced to the Grand Final with a 22–17 victory.
SCORE
HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE (22) Def TOKYO DIME.EXE (17)
Grand FINAL
SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE vs HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE
Defensive Onslaught Lifts SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE Over HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE
SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE and HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE headlined the Grand Final, a heavyweight clash between SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s veterans, making their fourth final appearance in five attempts, and the resurging HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE, back in the title game for the second time this season. Both sides saw this as a chance to cap off a strong campaign and lift the crown in Tokyo Bay, Chiba.
Five seconds into the final, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s Ryo Ozawa set the tone with a wing 2, kicking off the scoring. Meanwhile, HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE missed their first five attempts, searching for rhythm against SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s stifling defence. Eventually, Hirotaka Fujisawa split the defense on a drive, was fouled, and calmly knocked down the free throw to complete an And-1. After SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE missed their next shot, Hibiki Osawa responded for HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE with a crafty runner in the lane, tying the game at 4–4.
SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s flicked the switch immediately. Dušan Samardžić bullied his way to two layups in traffic, and Ozawa buried a wing 2, pushing SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE on a 5-2 run. Yuya Ohno kept HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE within striking distance with a heavily contested 2, but City’s precision attack was in full display.
As HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE struggled to get clean looks, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE ramped up their defensive intensity. Ryoma Saito, Ozawa again, and Tomoya Ochiai all converted layups in succession, giving SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s firm control of the final and forcing the HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE into tough, hurried shots.
After two empty trips by HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE, Samardžić knocked down a catch-and-shoot 2, then cut on a backdoor feed from Saito for another finish, stretching SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s lead to 15–6 with just under five minutes remaining.
HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE finally snapped SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s 11-0 run when Sohta Okuyama sank both free throws after drawing a foul. Yuya Ohno followed with a drive to the hoop, halting the momentum and giving the Rhinos life.
SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE answered through Saito, who split the defence on a drive and earned an And-1, extending the cushion. HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE’s Ohno struck back with a deep 2, HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE’s first from long range in three minutes, keeping the contest alive at the under-five mark.
With victory looming, Saito drove for a layup to push the margin further. Shingo Maeda replied with a runner, bringing HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE to double figures, but on the very next possession Samardžić exploded to the rim for the decisive basket. SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE closed out a commanding 21–10 win to claim their fourth title of the season.
SCORE
SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (21) Def HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE (10)
🏆 MVP - Ryo Ozawa (SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE)
8.3 PPG | 45% - 2 PT% | 50% FG%
The Wizard of Ozawa, Ryo Ozawa was the engine behind SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s attack, pacing the team with 8.3 points per game on the weekend. His 50% field-goal efficiency, including a strong 45% clip on his two-point attempts, made him a constant threat in the half-court game. Opponents knew he could score at any time, forcing them to tip their defensive schemes to stay in front of him.
In the Grand Final, Ozawa set the tone immediately, drilling a wing 2 just five seconds in, and later knocking down another wing jumper as part of a pivotal 5-2 burst that swung momentum firmly to City. His ability to finish through traffic around the rim and convert mid-range looks under pressure provided SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE with a reliable scoring spark whenever the game tightened.
Beyond his scoring, Ozawa’s movement off the ball and intensity on defence lifted his teammates. He drew multiple defenders on cuts, creating open space for catch-and-shoot opportunities, and his timely contesting of shots helped stifle HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE’s offence. That two-way leadership made him the clear choice for MVP of the day.
Standings
Links
| FIBA 3x3 Event Page | FIBA 3x3 Event Link |
| YouTube Link | Youtube Link |
| 3x3.EXE Standings | 3x3.EXE Standings |
| 3x3.EXE Schedule | 3x3.EXE Schedule |
Written by Andrew Cannings
