XI'AN (China) - Impressively backing up their semi-final run at the Chengdu Masters, Chongming (CHN) put in an eye-catching performance to win the FIBA 3x3 Xi'an Challenger 2025 on May 17-18.
Here is what happened in the fourth Challenger of the season.
The winner: Chongming (CHN)
They were: No.2 fewest points allowed
No Karlis Lasmanis and Nauris Miezis, no worries for Chongming who submitted an unbeaten campaign in Xi'an. Without the legendary Latvian superheroes, walking bucket Cameron Forte put the cape on and he had plenty of support with Dianliang Zhang continuing his red-hot form.
They combined for a ridiculous 75 points, but it was Chongming's suffocating defense that proved the difference. They twice kept Bordeaux (FRA) to low totals, with only Marijampole MANTINGA (LTU) able to put up buckets on them in the semis.
But MVP Forte and and Dianling combined for 17 points in that tight contest to prove they are a formidable one-two punch.
The runner-up: Bordeaux (FRA)
They were: 2nd most highlights
The seventh seed stunned the field and stormed to the final in a statement to opponents. They overcame opening heartbreak against Chongming and kept their tournament alive with a thrilling 21-20 comeback victory over Getafe Grupo EM (ESP) when Eddy Steiner calmly iced the game at the line.
That result gave the Frenchmen a lot of confidence as Bordeaux edged rising SG Marina Bay Jumpshot (SGP) and Shanghai (CHN) in knockouts to prove their mental toughness.
Emmanuel Monceau and Alex Vialaret were highlight reels as Bordeaux also played a very exciting brand of 3x3 to win over new fans.
The Final: Chongming 17-Bordeaux 12
There was a lot of anticipation for this clash after their Day One thriller and the Frenchmen were out for revenge with Vialaret going bang with an early two-piece. But Forte was in bully ball mode as he banged bodies down low to score three early buckets and stamp his presence.
Bordeaux were shaken but have showcased plenty of resiliency in this tournament. They needed to once again dig deep and they did that with Petar Sucur nailing a two to keep their noses in front.
But they had no answer for Forte as the powerhouse made the paint his personal playground to finish with a staggering 11 points and 12 rebounds. Chongming lifted their ferocious defense to great heights and Bordeaux had no answer as their gallant run came to an end.
The reward: Three tickets to the WT Ulaanbaatar Chongming, Bordeaux and Marijampole Mantinga qualified for the WT Ulaanbaatar on June 20-21. Final Standings: 1. Chongming (CHN) 2. Bordeaux (FRA) 3. Shanghai (CHN) 4. Marijampole MANTINGA (LTU) 5. SG Marina Bay Jumpshot (SGP) Top Scorers: 1. Cameron Forte (Chongming, CHN) 42 pts 2. Dianliang Zhang (Chongming, CHN) 33 pts 3. Diego De Blas (Marbella, ESP) 31 pts 4. Hanyu Guo (Shanghai, CHN) 31 pts 5. Attila Demeter (SG Marina Bay Jumpshot, SGP) 28 pts Key Stats: - Attila Demeter was clutch all tournament and had a triple-five of 9 points, 6 rebounds and 7 highlights in SG Marina Bay Jumpshot's (SGP) pool victory over Shinagawa (JPN). - Serb star Stefan Milivojevic proved he was the 'Gladiator' with a triple-five of 8 points, 7 rebounds and 6 highlights but it wasn't enough as Partizan fell to Marijampole MANTINGA (LTU) in the quarters. - Shanghai's (CHN) 21-7 pool win against Zavkhan (MGL) lasted just 6'26" in playing time to be the fastest game of the tournament.
FIBA
