MACAU (China) – Miami (USA) and Ub (SRB) made winning starts to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Macau 2026, sweeping their respective pools to advance to the Quarter-Finals as a dramatic opening day delivered clutch shots, major upsets and a remarkable qualifying run for Taipei WanBao (TPE).

Miami handled DeQing (CHN) 22-14 before defeating Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL) 21-16 to finish unbeaten in Pool C. Ub also went 2-0, taking down hosts Cotai WOLFUNITED (MAC) 21-14 before rallying past Vienna (AUT) 21-19 in Pool A.

Shanghai (CHN) were the only other team to sweep their pool, while DeQing and Cotai thrilled fans with late-game heroics to book their places in the last eight. The Quarter-Finals are now set for Sunday, October 18, at the iconic Ruins of Saint Paul’s.

Miami roll

Miami opened their campaign with a convincing victory over DeQing, with Henry Caruso leading the way with eight points. They followed that up with a win over Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy, as Jimmer Fredette poured in eight points to help the Americans secure top spot in Pool C. The two victories send Miami into the Quarter-Finals with momentum as they chase another World Tour title. They will face home favorites Cotai WOLFUNITED in one of Sunday’s knockout matchups.

Ub rally

Top seeds Ub also advanced unbeaten, although they had to work harder for their second victory. The Serbians began with a solid win over Cotai, with Marko Brankovic leading the way with eight points. Their second game against Vienna proved a much tighter affair, as Ub rallied to claim a two-point victory.

Strahinja Stojacic scored eight points, combining with Brankovic for 16 of Ub’s 21 points as the Serbian powerhouse held off Vienna’s challenge. The win secured Ub’s place in the Quarter-Finals, where they will meet DeQing.

Shanghai sweep

Shanghai delivered one of the day’s strongest performances, beating Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) 21-18 before completing their Pool B sweep with a 21-16 win over Hong Kong (HKG).

Cameron Forte was outstanding against Amsterdam, recording 14 points and 12 rebounds for a rare double-double, while also producing eight highlights. Shanghai’s second victory confirmed them as Pool B winners, with Amsterdam joining them in the Quarter-Finals after edging Hong Kong 19-17 earlier in the day. Maarten Bouwknecht led Amsterdam with five points in that contest.

Taipei WanBao’s impressive run

Taipei WanBao produced one of the day’s most impressive stories, battling through the Qualifying Draw before advancing to the Quarter-Finals.

They first defeated Doha (QAT) 19-13 and then edged Bordeaux (FRA) 20-18 in overtime to secure their Main Draw place. Wang Hsin-Wei delivered the decisive two-pointer in the extra period, sending Taipei through after a tense finish.

The momentum continued in Pool D. Taipei edged Baskets Bonn (GER) 11-10 before falling to Skyliners (GER) 18-21. Petar Ivanovic scored 13 points against Skyliners, with Ivanovic and Nikola Kovacevic combining for six two-pointers as Taipei claimed a crucial victory.

A three-way tie left Taipei, Skyliners and Baskets Bonn level on pool wins, but Taipei and Skyliners advanced on total points scored. Baskets Bonn, despite entering Macau among the top seeds, were eliminated. Taipei will now face Shanghai in the Quarter-Finals, while Skyliners take on Amsterdam RABOBANK.

Late-game drama

DeQing and Cotai WOLFUNITED both found their way into the knockout rounds with dramatic finishes. DeQing advanced from the Qualifying Draw with a 21-15 win over Warsaw (POL), led by Zhang Dianliang’s nine points. After losing to Miami in Pool C, DeQing stayed alive with a narrow 21-20 victory over Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy.

The finish was a thriller. Anand Ariunbold gave Ulaanbaatar a 20-19 lead in the final minute, but Guim Expósito answered with the game-winner to send DeQing into the Quarter-Finals.

Cotai also came through in the clutch. After losing to Ub, the home team faced Vienna needing a result and delivered a nail-biting victory, led by 12 points from Stanislav Sharov.

Shootout Contest

The Shootout Contest presented by Starmac also produced its four finalists on Day 1. Toni Blazan (VIE) led the qualifiers with eight points. He is joined by Maarten Bouwknecht (AMS), Lennart Schultz (BB) and Adam Waczynski (WAR) for Sunday’s Shootout Contest Final.

Quarter-Finals set for Sunday

QF1: Ub (SRB) vs. DeQing (CHN)
QF2: Skyliners (GER) vs. Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED)
QF3: Shanghai (CHN) vs. Taipei WanBao (TPE)
QF4: Miami (USA) vs. Cotai WOLFUNITED (MAC)

The knockout games, Shootout Contest Final, Dunk Contest and championship-deciding action take place on Sunday, as the remaining teams battle for the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Macau 2026 title.

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

*This content was translated by AI.

“Did they beat the U.S.?”

South Korea’s men’s 3×3 basketball team created a major upset on the international stage, decisively asserting their presence by defeating the powerhouse United States by seven points.

On the 16th, South Korea defeated the United States in Group D of the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup held in Wuhan, China, with a score of 21-14.

After narrowly losing their opening match against Lithuania 18-20, South Korea secured their first victory of the tournament by defeating the United States, finishing the group stage with one win and one loss.

At the center of the victory was Lee Dong-geun.

Lee recorded a team-high eight points, including three two-point shots, breaking through the U.S. defense, and also grabbed three rebounds.

Kim Seung-woo contributed six points and two rebounds with two successful two-point shots, while Lee Ju-young added four points and six rebounds to strengthen the paint. Gu Min-gyo recorded three points and three rebounds.

Notably, their perimeter shooting proved highly effective.

South Korea made a total of six two-point shots on the day, troubling the United States. In 3×3 basketball, shots taken from outside the standard three-point line are counted as two points, making each perimeter shot particularly valuable.

FIBA also gave significant coverage to South Korea’s victory.

Through its official website, FIBA stated, “There was drama in Group D as well. South Korea defeated the United States 21-14.”

It further added, “Lee Dong-geun led South Korea with eight points, including three two-point shots,” and evaluated that “South Korea produced one of the biggest results of the day.”

The victory carried meaning beyond a simple win.

Although South Korea received relatively modest expectations for this tournament, it proved its competitiveness by creating a major upset against the powerhouse United States.

Competition for standings in Group D has intensified.

With Lithuania leading at two wins, South Korea, the United States, and Argentina are all tied at one win and one loss. China remains winless with two losses.

For South Korea, the remaining two matches have become even more critical.

South Korea will face Argentina on the 18th at 7:20 p.m., followed by a match against host nation China later that day at 10:15 p.m.

Having boosted morale by defeating the formidable United States, South Korea is determined to continue its upward momentum in the remaining group stage matches.

*This content was translated by AI.