Mumbai Heroes reign supreme in 3BL Round 2
Mumbai Heroes reign supreme in 3BL Round 2
Mumbai Heroes beat defending champions Gurugram Masters 20-17 to win Men’s Conference ‘A’ Round 2 in 3BL Season 3 underway in Chandigarh.
Spanish player Carlos Martinez named Most Valuable Player (MVP)
Hometown Chandigarh Beasts led by India player Prashant Rawat reach semis
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L to R: Mumbai Heroes' winning squad of Carlos Martinez, Sunil Rathee, Siddhant Shinde and Sejin Mathew
Chandigarh, 10th March 2022: Spanish 3x3 specialist Carlos Martinez proved his caliber, leading Mumbai Heroes to an impressive Men’s Conference ‘A’ Round 2 title. ‘3BL’, the only 3X3 Professional Basketball League in India is backed by the Basketball Federation of India and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The third season is being played at the Hotel Wyndham Chandigarh, Mohali from 8th – 21st March 2022 and is seeing participation from top national and international men’s and women’s 3X3 basketball players.
Mumbai Heroes ‘upset’ Gurugram Masters 20-17
Despite losing to Gurugram Masters in the initial pool stages, Mumbai Heroes elevated their play in the finals to clinch their first Round title. In an exciting neck-and-neck encounter, the scores were tied 10-10 and 14-14 before Mumbai grabbed the lead with two minutes remaining.
Mumbai Heroes captain Carlos Martinez from Spain, was inspirational down the stretch. Whether knocking down outside shots, getting crucial steals or making contested layups, Martinez was unstoppable when it mattered the most.
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He was well supported by Indian national team point guard Siddhant Shinde, who made a tough jumpshot to take Heroes’ lead up to 18-14, with 1:15 mins remaining.
Thereafter the defending champions Masters came fighting back to within 1 point, 17-18. However, missed shots for Masters proved costly, as Heroes held on for a memorable three point win.
“We are not the best in anything, but we are the best team. This is only Round 2, watch out!” Martinez said after the finals.
Hometown Chandigarh team reaches semifinals
Earlier, under the leadership of Indian national team player Prashant Rawat, Chandigarh Beasts topped the pool stages to storm through to the knockout rounds. “I really feel excited about this League. It is a new format for us. We have been playing 5 on 5, now we are into 3x3. So it is like a fast game from offense to defence and defence to offense. I am very confident with the team now because we have a great rotation,” said Rawat, the 6ft 8’’ 21-year-old forward, after progressing to the final four.
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In the semifinals though, Chandigarh would be thoroughly outplayed by Mumbai Heroes, losing 8-21.
Round 2 {Men’s Conference A} Results
Finals Mumbai Heroes bt Gurugram Masters 20-17 Semifinals Mumbai Heroes bt Chandigarh Beasts 21-8
Gurugram Masters bt Goa Snipers 21-15
League Rounds Pool A
Chandigarh Beasts bt Bangalore Machas 21-13
Chandigarh Beasts bt Goa Snipers 20-18
Goa Snipers bt Bangalore Machas 22-13
Pool B
Gurugram Masters bt Hyderabad Ballers 21-16
Mumbai Heroes bt Hyderabad Ballers 22-12
Gurugram Masters bt Mumbai Heroes 22-15
All results, team lists, pools and schedule can be accessed on the FIBA 3x3 website.
About 3x3 Pro Basketball League (‘3BL’) Season 3
3BL is India’s only Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) backed3x3 Pro Basketball League. The third season of the League is underway in Chandigarh, between 8-21 March 2022, and will take place over six two-day rounds.
Besides the chance to win each round, top teams also get the exclusive opportunity to compete at FIBA 3x3’s international circuit such as Challengers and World Tours.