MACAU (China) – Ub (SRB) continued to set the pace on the FIBA 3×3 World Tour 2026, capturing their third title of the season with a 21-15 victory over Shanghai (CHN) in the Final of World Tour Macau. With Marko Brankovic earning MVP honors, the 13th stop of the campaign delivered another reminder that the Serbian powerhouse remain a force to be reckoned with as the race to Rio de Janeiro enters the deep waters.
From Ub’s continued dominance to Brankovic’s breakthrough and the increasingly competitive title race, here is what we learned from FIBA 3×3 World Tour Macau 2026.
Finding ways to win
Never count out Ub. The Serbian powerhouse arrived in Macau looking to add another title to their 2026 collection, and they wanted to rebound from a subpar performance at WT Bucharest. Not surprisingly, the Serbians delivered when it mattered most. They swept through the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals before overcoming Shanghai in the Final.
The victory marked Ub’s third World Tour stop win of the season, following their triumphs in Chengdu and Marseille. It also made them the second team to reach three titles in 2026, joining Baskets Bonn (GER), who had already achieved the feat.
Ub’s latest success also carried extra significance in Macau. They had previously won the stop in 2023 and 2024, making this their third title in the city. Three championships in four editions underline the team’s remarkable ability to deliver on one of the World Tour’s most iconic stages.
The challengers continue to emerge, but Ub remain firmly among the teams to beat.
Stepping into the spotlight
For all of Ub’s collective strength, Macau belonged to Marko Brankovic. The Serbian standout was named MVP after putting together one of the tournament’s strongest statistical performances. He finished with a player value of 47.7, 36 total points and eight two-pointers made, ranking second in all three categories.
Brankovic was especially influential in the knockout phase. He poured in 11 points, including four two-pointers, in Ub’s 22-13 Quarter-Final win over DeQing (CHN), helping his team establish control early. His scoring continued to make a difference as Ub progressed through the Semi-Finals and Final.
The award marked Brankovic’s first World Tour MVP honor of the 2026 season. It was also another example of the depth within a team that continues to find different players capable of taking center stage.
Three titles, three MVPs
Perhaps the most telling detail of Ub’s run is that their three World Tour titles this season have produced three different MVPs.
Filip Kaluderovic earned the honor when Ub won at WT Chengdu. Strahinja Stojacic followed with the MVP award at WT Marseille. In Macau, it was Brankovic’s turn to claim the spotlight.
That variety speaks to the depth of Ub’s roster. While Stojacic remains one of the circuit’s defining stars, the team’s success is not built around a single player carrying the load every weekend. Different members of the squad can deliver decisive performances, making Ub particularly difficult to contain across a full tournament.
Three titles and three individual award winners tell a compelling story: Ub’s biggest strength may be their ability to keep producing heroes.
Wide open race
Ub’s rise to three titles has added another layer to an already compelling World Tour season. Baskets Bonn were the first team to reach three victories, and Ub have now joined them at the top of the multiple-title winners’ list. Liman (SRB) and Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) have each won twice, while Miami (USA), Hangzhou Jingwei (CHN) and Antwerp (BEL) have each claimed one title.
The spread of winners highlights the depth of the circuit. Established powers continue to deliver, but the field has repeatedly shown that no team can afford to take a stop for granted.
With four World Tour stops remaining before the Final in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 12-13, every result carries added importance. The fight for titles, ranking points and a strong finish to the season is entering a decisive phase.
Historic setting
The competition also marked a milestone for the host city. Macau welcomed the World Tour for the fourth time, but 2026 was the first edition staged at the iconic Ruins of Saint Paul’s.
The historic landmark provided a striking backdrop for the fast-paced action of 3×3 basketball, bringing the sport to one of Macau’s most recognizable cultural sites. The setting added another memorable chapter to the city’s relationship with the World Tour.
With Ub once again lifting the trophy, Macau proved a fitting stage for a team that continues to build its legacy on the international circuit.
Road to Rio
Macau was the 13th stop of the FIBA 3×3 World Tour 2026 and the start of the final third of the season. Four stops remain before the circuit’s showpiece Final in Rio de Janeiro on December 12-13.
Ub have strengthened their position with a third title, Brankovic has announced himself as another key figure in their campaign, and the chasing pack remains determined to close the gap.
The final stretch promises little room for error. If Macau taught us anything, it is that Ub remain the benchmark, but the race for World Tour supremacy is far from over.
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.
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