29 Jul 2023
EDMONTON (Canada) - In-form Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL) made a perfect start on Day One at the FIBA 3x3 Edmonton Masters on July 28 as they hunt a first World Tour title.
Let's recap Day One of this season's fifth Masters as the World Tour arrived in an exciting new destination.
THE TEAM
Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL) have been an established team on the World Tour for years, but are still yet to taste the ultimate Masters success.
They are out to change that in 2023 and were spectacular in Macau earlier this month to reach the semis.
Their strong form continued in Edmonton after expertly navigating a tricky Pool D containing powerhouse Liman Huishan NE (SRB) - who they lost to in the semis in Macau - and rising San Juan (PUR).
Ulaanbaatar overcame a heat check from young gun Antonio Ralat to sink San Juan in a thriller 21-20 before exacting revenge over a shorthanded Liman reduced to two players with a 22-11 win.
Canadian 3x3 legend Steve Sir enjoyed returning home to finish with 15 points across the two games.
No.1 seeds Ub Huishan NE (SRB), Amsterdam HiPRO (NED) and Washington DC (USA) were also unbeaten.
Ulaanbaatar secure the win in crunch time with the @Maurice_Lacroix buzzer beater! 🥶😮💨 #3x3WTEdmonton #3x3WT pic.twitter.com/dwKoEgj4Fd
— FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) July 28, 2023
THE PLAYER
It just has to be the man with the perfect hair, as Dulguun Enkhbat was a force on offence and defence to lead Ulaanbaatar's flawless day.
His silky J was wet as he poured in 14 points across the two games with a player value of 17 to boot.
He had the Wilson in his hands with the game on the line against San Juan and his aggressive drive to the rim was rewarded when Luis Cuascut was called for a goaltend.
Enkhbat made it look easy but he knows there will be much more work to do on Day Two.
Never seen someone look so calm under pressure! 😳 #3x3WTEdmonton #3x3WT pic.twitter.com/QqXJ5YELoC
— FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) July 28, 2023
THE DUNK
Taze Moore was electric in his 3x3 debut with a dunking exhibition to be an ideal inclusion for the high-flying Washington DC, who impressively beat Riga and Lausanne to storm into the quarters.
Taze Moore threw the hammer down harder than Thor! 😤⚡ #3x3WTEdmonton #3x3WT pic.twitter.com/6O147Qt1GL
— FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) July 28, 2023
QUARTER-FINALS
Ub Huishan NE (SRB) vs Riga (LAT)
Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL) vs Princeton (USA)
Amsterdam HiPRO (NED) vs San Juan (PUR)
Washington DC (USA) vs Dusseldorf LFDY (GER)
STATS
*Riga's Miroslav Pasajlic was the top-scorer on Day One with 20 points, most of which came against Lausanne where he had a monster performance of 14 points and 7 highlights.
* No.1 ranked player Strahinja Stojacic had a triple-five of 7 points, 5 rebounds and 5 highlights in Ub's win over Wuxi.
* Amsterdam's Worthy de Jong was unstoppable against Princeton when he tallied a triple-five of 6 points, 9 rebounds and 7 highlights.
FIBA