3 Nov 2023
GOA (India) - Lausanne Sport LS (SUI) continued their strong form after taking out the FIBA 3x3 Goa Challenger 2023.
Here's what happened.
The winners: Lausanne Sport LS (SUI)
They were: No.2 most points scored
This Swiss had long been arguably the most mercurial team on the pro circuit.
Their best was electric and incredibly entertaining, but Lausanne could never quite seem to be able to find consistency. That is until now with Lausanne having made the final four on seven of the last eight events they've played.
Lausanne have won two titles in this hot patch, including an unbeaten run in Goa.
3x3 legend Dusan Bulut was a perfect replacement for highlight reel Gilles Martin as Lausanne capped a perfect Day One by edging Paris (FRA).
They went up a gear in the knockouts with big wins over Bengaluru INBL (IND) and Podgorica Kodio (MNE) before once again outlasting Paris in the final.
MVP Carlos Martinez and Westher Molteni were unstoppable in the paint for Lausanne, who are in the form of their life.
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The runner's up: Paris (FRA)
Paris fell short of a second title of the season with Lausanne proving their thorn in Goa.
After splitting Day One, Paris went up a gear with a big victory over Zagreb 3BL (CRO) in the quarters before facing a tough task against Antwerp TOPdesk (BEL).
But superstar Franck Seguela and Paul Djoko combined for 15 points to outpace Antwerp's deadly duo Jonas Foerts and Dennis Donkor as Paris powered into the final.
Sizzling Seguela: Seguela again proved to be Paris' talisman with a dominant performance in Goa.
His masterpiece was a triple-five of 9 points, 6 rebounds and 6 highlights against Zagreb as he unleashed his all-round skills. Seguela finished No.1 in player value (39.7) and No.2 in points (31).
The Final: Lausanne Sport LS 17-Paris 15
Lausanne entered confident after a Day One win over Paris and 3x3 legend Dusan Bulut threw a trademark dime to Carlos Martinez to get the Swiss going.
But Franck Seguela went one better with a crazy behind the back dish to Jules Rambaut, who threw down a vicious one-handed slam.
The standard was ridiculously high with Bulut driving prettily to the basket, but that was matched by Vincent Fauche quickly getting to the rim for the layup.
A Fauche two capped a 7-1 run for Paris, who looked the goods with a 12-6 lead. Lausanne needed to answer and they looked to the game's greatest ever player and Bulut responded with a two.
That provided the spark needed for Lausanne, as Martinez took over with the next five points to inch his team into the lead. It led to a thrilling finish but Paris ran out of gas and Martinez capitalized to lead Lausanne to their second title in as many months.
He finished with a game-high 11 points and 41 overall to deservedly walk away with the MVP.
The reward: Three tickets to the Hong Kong Masters
Antwerp TOPdesk, Podgorica Kodio and Zagreb 3BL joined already qualified Lausanne Sport LS, Paris and Raudondvaris Hoptrans as teams with tickets to the Hong Kong Masters on November 25-26.
Final Standings:
1. Lausanne Sport LS (SUI)
2. Paris (FRA)
3. Antwerp TOPdesk (BEL)
4. Podgorica Kodio (MNE)
5. Zagreb 3BL (CRO)
Top Scorers:
1. Carlos Martinez (Lausanne Sport LS ,SUI) 41 pts
2. Franck Seguela (Paris, FRA) 31 pts
3. Jonas Foerts (Antwerp TOPdesk, BEL) 30 pts
4. Dennis Donko (Antwerp TOPdesk, BEL) 28 pts
5. Vincent Fauche (Paris, FRA) 21 pts
Key Stats:
- Lalrina Renthlei brought cheer for the home fans with an electric triple-five of 6 points, 5 rebounds and 6 highlights but Panaji (IND) lost to Zagreb 3BL (CRO).
- Jonas Foerts produced one of the best solo efforts in the tournament with 11 points and 8 rebounds in Antwerp TOPdesk's quarter-final win over Sagamihara 3BL (JPN)
- Paris' 21-6 beat down of Mapusa 3BL (IND) on Day One lasted just 5'56" in playing time to be the fastest game of the tournament.
FIBA
