KAOHSIUNG (Chinese Taipei) – Shibuya (JPN) completed a remarkable run from the Qualifying Draw to the top of the podium at the FIBA 3×3 Kaohsiung Challenger 2026, edging hosts Taipei WanBao (TPE) 21-19 in a thrilling Final to claim their first Challenger title of the season. Kristaps Gluditis delivered the decisive blow with a game-winning two-pointer, while Taipei WanBao and Utrecht (NED) also secured qualification to FIBA 3×3 World Tour Deqing 2026.

The Winner

Shibuya’s journey to the title was nothing short of extraordinary. After beating Balige (INA) and Phoenix (USA) in the Qualifying Draw, Shibuya carried their momentum into the Main Draw with a statement 21-15 win over hosts Taipei WanBao. They then survived a three-way tie in Pool D to advance alongside the hosts before taking down Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) 21-13 in the Quarter-Finals.

Their biggest test came against top seed Antwerp (BEL) in the Semi-Finals. Shibuya prevailed 21-19 behind four two-pointers from Gluditis, setting up a Final showdown with Taipei. Gluditis was named tournament MVP after finishing with 34 points, 46.2 total player value, 19 highlights, 13 two-pointers and 13 key assists.

The Runner-up

Taipei WanBao gave their home fans plenty to celebrate as they battled all the way to the Final. After bouncing back from their opening loss to Shibuya by defeating Crvena Zvezda (SRB) 22-11, the hosts survived the Quarter-Finals against Princeton (USA), with Mike Efevberha pouring in 14 points, including six two-pointers.

Efevberha continued his outstanding run with 10 points in the Semi-Final victory over Utrecht, carrying Taipei into the Final. They ultimately fell just short against Shibuya but still earned a ticket to Deqing. Efevberha led all scorers in Kaohsiung with 41 points.

The Final

Shibuya and Taipei WanBao produced a Final worthy of the occasion. The Japanese side built an early advantage and led 15-10 with under four minutes remaining. Taipei refused to go away, however, as Efevberha knocked down a two-pointer to bring the hosts level at 19-19. With the title hanging in the balance, Gluditis stepped up. The Shibuya star buried the game-winning two-pointer to complete the 21-19 victory and send his team to the top of the podium.

The Reward

The Kaohsiung title came with a valuable prize: qualification to FIBA 3×3 World Tour Deqing 2026. Shibuya, Taipei WanBao and Utrecht all secured their places in Deqing. Antwerp finished third but had already pre-qualified for the World Tour stop, leaving Utrecht to claim the last available ticket.

Final Standings

1. Shibuya (JPN) – qualified to WT Deqing
2. Taipei WanBao (TPE) – qualified to WT Deqing
3. Antwerp (BEL) – already pre-qualified to WT Deqing
4. Utrecht (NED) – qualified to WT Deqing
5. Princeton (USA)

Top Scorers

1. Mike Efevberha (Taipei WanBao) – 41 pts
2. Ryo Ozawa (Shibuya) – 34 pts
3. Kristaps Gluditis (Shibuya) – 34 pts
4. Dennis Donkor (Antwerp) – 33 pts
5. Petar Ivanovic (Taipei WanBao) – 31 pts

What’s Next

The focus now shifts away from the Challenger circuit, with the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup 2026 taking place in Antwerp, Belgium this week before the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup 2026 tips off in Wuhan, China next week.

The Challenger action returns on September 18-19 with the Hongcheon Challenger, while the Phoenix Challenger follows on September 19-20. The road then leads to Deqing, China, where the next FIBA 3×3 World Tour stop takes place on September 26-27.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 World Tour throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official World Tour website, where you can find the latest news, team standings, player statistics and everything you need to follow the Race to the Final. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3×3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.

Want to learn more about 3×3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.

FIBA

TOKYO (Japan) – The Netherlands (NED) captured their third FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series stop title of the 2026 season after defeating hometown favorites Mitsubishi Electric (JPN) 21-16 in an entertaining Final at the Tokyo Stop on August 2. Behind a spectacular shooting display from tournament MVP Ilse Kuijt, the Dutch completed an unbeaten campaign to claim the season’s first three-stop champion’s crown, while Mitsubishi Electric delighted the home crowd with an inspired run to their first Women’s Series Final of the year.

The Winner

The Netherlands once again demonstrated why they remain among the elite teams on the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series circuit.

After sweeping Pool C with convincing victories over Takasaki (JPN) and Beijing (CHN), the Dutch continued their impressive form in the knockout rounds, comfortably defeating Netherlands U25 (NED) before overcoming a resilient Japan (JPN) side in the Semi-Finals.

Their toughest test came in the Final against a fearless Mitsubishi Electric team, but Kuijt’s experience and shot-making ultimately proved decisive. The victory gives the Netherlands their third Women’s Series stop title of the season, which is the most by any team so far, and moves them into the top five of the Race to the Final standings.

The Runner-up

Mitsubishi Electric produced their finest FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series performance of the season to reach a memorable Final on home soil.

After advancing from Pool B alongside Canada (CAN), the Japanese side caught fire on Day 2, upsetting France U25 (FRA) behind a remarkable individual display from Fuyuko Takahashi before edging Beijing in a thrilling Semi-Final.

Although they ultimately fell short against the Netherlands, Mitsubishi Electric announced themselves as genuine contenders with a fearless brand of 3×3 basketball that thrilled the crowd inside the the Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium throughout the weekend.

The Final

The Final lived up to expectations, with Mitsubishi Electric matching the Netherlands possession for possession during the opening stages.

The Dutch held only a narrow 9-8 advantage midway through the contest before Kuijt began to take over. A two-pointer sparked a decisive scoring run that extended the lead to 15-11 with less than four minutes remaining.

Mitsubishi Electric refused to back down, though, battling back to within a single point at 17-16 entering the closing minutes. But once again Kuijt delivered when it mattered most, knocking down the game’s final four points — including another long-range bomb — to seal a 21-16 victory and the Tokyo title.

Road to the Final

The knockout stage delivered plenty of drama as several favorites fell before Championship Sunday reached its climax.

Beijing produced arguably the tournament’s biggest upset in the Quarter-Finals, eliminating top seeds Neftchi SOCAR (AZE) 20-17 behind a balanced offensive effort led by Wu TongTong. Mitsubishi Electric then stunned France U25 18-11 as Fuyuko Takahashi erupted for 12 points — outscoring the entire French team on her own.

Japan added another upset by edging Canada 19-18 thanks to a 10-point performance from Miku Takahashi, while the Netherlands comfortably defeated Netherlands U25 21-10 to complete the Semi-Finals lineup.

Mitsubishi Electric’s dream run continued in the Semi-Finals as Takahashi once again led the way with eight points, including three two-pointers, in a thrilling 21-19 victory over Beijing to reach the team’s first Women’s Series Final of the season.

The Netherlands, meanwhile, were pushed hard by Japan before prevailing 15-11 in a defensive battle, setting up the championship showdown against the tournament’s surprise finalists.

The Reward

The Tokyo Stop offered another valuable haul of Women’s Series points as teams continue their push toward qualification for the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final.

The Netherlands strengthened their position among the season’s leading contenders with another title, while Mitsubishi Electric, Japan and Beijing all earned significant momentum following their impressive performances in Tokyo.

MVP

Ilse Kuijt was named FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Tokyo 2026 MVP after starring throughout the tournament.

The Dutch sharpshooter led the event with a tournament-best 50.6 player value, 41 total points, 13 made two-pointers, and four blocks. She saved her best for the Final, exploding for 13 points, including four shots from beyond the arc, to guide the Netherlands to another Women’s Series crown.

Final Standings

1. Netherlands (NED)
2. Mitsubishi Electric (JPN)
3. Japan (JPN)
4. Beijing (CHN)
5. Canada (CAN)
6. Neftchi SOCAR (AZE)
7. France U25 (FRA)
8. Netherlands U25 (NED)
9. Takasaki (JPN)
10. United States (USA)
11. Romania (ROU)
12. Singapore (SGP)
13. Philippines (PHI)
14. Lion City (SGP)
15. Indonesia (INA)
16. Vietnam (VIE)

What’s Next

The FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series continues on August 8-9 with the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series CS Rapid 2026 in Bucharest, Romania, where the world’s best teams will once again battle for valuable Race to the Final points. After another tournament filled with upsets, breakout performances and elite shot-making, the chase for the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 crown promises to become even more competitive as the season enters a decisive stretch.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official Women’s Series website, where you can find the latest news, team standings, player statistics and everything you need to follow the Race to the Final. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3×3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.

Want to learn more about 3×3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.

FIBA