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All 36 Teams, One Massive Day: Round 3 Tips Off in Hachinohe

Round 3 of the 3x3.EXE Premier Japan season delivered a blockbuster Day 1 as all 36 men’s teams converged in Hachinohe for the All-Conference event. Split across 12 pools of three, every team stepped onto the court for their chance to earn valuable EXE points and position themselves for the knockout rounds. With just one team advancing from each pool, margins were razor-thin and every possession felt like it carried playoff weight. From comeback wins to scoring explosions, Day 1 had it all, and by the end of the day, the bracket for the Round of 16 was locked in.

POOL A

  • EPIC.EXE – 120 EXE Points | 67% Winning % | 14.7 PPG
  • SIMON.EXE – 95 EXE Points | 25% Winning % | 17.8 PPG
  • SANJO BEATERS.EXE – 90 EXE Points | 0% Winning % | 10.5 PPG

POOL A MOMENT THAT MATTERED

EPIC.EXE Rise as Pool A Kings in Statement Win

From the opening seconds of Pool A action in HACHINOHE, EPIC.EXE left no doubt they were here to rewrite their 2025 story. After back-to-back fourth-place finishes in Rounds 1 and 2, they exploded into the All-Conference event with a commanding 10-point win in their first outing. SIMON.EXE, a team still searching for rhythm this season despite a strong 2024 campaign, answered in kind with a dominant 15-point victory of their own, setting the stage for a showdown between two of the most respected squads in the league.

The battle to top Pool A tipped off at full speed. Atsushi Isshiki struck first for EPIC.EXE, scoring within three seconds of the check ball, before SIMON.EXE's marksman Tsubasa Iseki returned fire with a smooth two-pointer from beyond the arc. Isshiki wasn’t about to let SIMON.EXE control the tempo, answering back immediately with a two of his own and hinting at the shootout this would become.

As both teams traded buckets, Mike Harry began asserting himself in the paint for SIMON.EXE, using his physicality to create problems under the rim. But Julio Claver De Assis Afonso met the challenge head-on, turning the battle inside into a key focal point whenever the perimeter shooting cooled. With both teams throwing different looks, it was EPIC.EXE’s backcourt duo of Isshiki and Tatsuki Kishikawa that began to tilt the game. Their quickness off the dribble created mismatches against SIMON.EXE’s twin towers, Cheick Keita and Harry, forcing breakdowns in the defensive rotation.

The turning point came with four and a half minutes left. Kishikawa created just enough space with a step-back move and launched a two-point attempt, drawing a foul in the process. The rare three-point play in 3x3 gave EPIC.EXE an eight-point cushion, shifting the momentum squarely in their favour. From there, they never looked back, closing out the game to secure first place in Pool A and announce themselves as serious contenders for Round 3.

POOL A RESULTS

  • EPIC.EXE (22) Def SANJO BEATERS.EXE (12)
  • SIMON.EXE (21) Def SANJO BEATERS.EXE (6)
  • EPIC.EXE (22) Def SIMON.EXE (15)

POOL A WINNER:

EPIC.EXE


POOL A NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Tatsuki Kishikawa (EPIC.EXE) – 8.8 PPG | 42% - 2PT FG%
  • Tsubasa Iseki (SIMON.EXE) – 5.3 PPG | 42% FG%
  • Kento Mikami (SANJO BEATERS.EXE) – 6.5 PPG | 67% - 1PT FG%

POOL B

  • MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE - 200 EXE Points | 100% Winning % | 20.5 PPG
  • BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE - 90 EXE Points | 0% Winning % | 11.8 PPG
  • TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE - 95 EXE Points | 50% Winning % | 16.5 PPG

POOL B MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Henderson and McCALL Ⅱ Power Razorbacks Past BRIDGELINE

In a pool headlined by powerhouse MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE, both TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE and BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE were left fighting not only for second place, but for momentum in what has been a tough early season for both sides. With each squad looking to establish their rhythm in 3x3.EXE Premier 2025, this clash was as much about chemistry and composure as it was about points.

TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE wasted no time asserting themselves. Ozzie Henderson opened the scoring with a powerful drive and finish through contact, converting an early And-1 to set the tone. Moments later, Rikiya Kato cashed in from deep with a clean two-pointer, pushing the RAZORBACKS out to a 5-0 lead before BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE had a chance to settle.

It took nearly 90 seconds and several near-misses before Sigurd Sandal finally got BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE on the board with a midrange jumper from the short corner. But their relief was short-lived. Vaughn McCALL Ⅱ and Henderson turned up the heat again, combining for a flurry of buckets that ballooned the lead to 13-4 just three minutes into the game, an early avalanche that left BRIDGELINE scrambling.

Despite steady efforts from Kaito Ogawa and Yoshitatsu Suda, the early spark and two-man synergy between McCALL Ⅱ and Henderson proved too much to overcome. TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE played with flow, confidence, and spacing, closing out a convincing 22-13 win to claim second place in Pool B and send a clear signal that their offence is starting to click.

POOL B RESULTS

  • MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE (21) Def BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE (6)
  • TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE (22) Def BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE (13)
  • MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE (21) Def TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE (12)

POOL B WINNER:

MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE


POOL B NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Shugo Bando (MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE) – 8.0 PPG | 60% - 2 PT%
  • Vaughn McCALL Ⅱ (TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE) – 8.5 PPG | 69% - 1 PT%
  • Sigurd Sandal (BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 46% - 1 PT%

POOL C

  • SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE- 160 EXE Points | 85% Winning % | 20.0 PPG
  • HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE - 90 EXE Points | 0% Winning % | 13.8 PPG
  • UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE- 120 EXE Points | 60% Winning % | 19.0 PPG

POOL C MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Samardžić Delivers Clutch Shot as SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE Outlast UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE

Pool C featured one of the most anticipated matchups of the day, with SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE and UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE, two squads already tested on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour this season, meeting in a high-stakes clash. With additional EXE points on offer during this All-Conference round, both teams knew a top finish here could pay dividends later in the season.

SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE entered with confidence after topping their group in Round 2, while UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE were on the rise following a strong third-place finish last round. From the opening possessions, their experience on the international stage was on full display. UTSUNOMIYA’s Yasuo Iijima used crafty footwork to create space and finish inside, while Ryo Ozawa connected with Ryoma Saito on a textbook cut-and-layup that showcased SHINAGAWA’s polished half-court movement.

The early moments belonged to UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE, who jumped out to a 4-1 lead. But 3x3 newcomer Griffin Biwer, making his debut for SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE, quickly made his presence felt in the paint, creating mismatches and helping turn the tide. The game remained tight all the way to the final stretch, with just four points separating the teams and under 60 seconds left on the clock.

Then came the defining play. With only three seconds remaining on the shot clock, Dušan Samardžić took the check ball, jabbed right, and rose up over the outstretched arm of Iijima. The shot dropped cleanly through the net, sealing the momentum and delivering SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE the edge they needed to secure the win in one of the day’s most high-level pool games.

POOL C RESULTS

  • SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (21) Def HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE (13)
  • UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE (21) Def HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE (8)
  • SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (20) Def UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE (14)

POOL C WINNER:

SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE


POOL C NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Ryo Ozawa (SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE) – 10.3 PPG | 43% FG%
  • Yuki Nakanishi (UTSUNOMIYA BREX.EXE) – 6.2 PPG | 57% FG%
  • Yuta Kusano (HIU ZEROCKETS.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 57% FG%

POOL D

  • TOKYO DIME.EXE - 120 EXE Points | 60% Winning % | 20.0 PPG
  • SPINNERS.EXE - 90 EXE Points | 0% Winning % | 11.5 PPG
  • TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE - 100 EXE Points | 50% Winning % | 18.3 PPG

POOL D MOMENT THAT MATTERED

TOKYO DIME.EXE Turns On the Jets in Pool D Showdown

With both teams entering their final game having already defeated SPINNERS.EXE, Pool D’s top spot came down to a shootout between two fast-paced squads, TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE and TOKYO DIME.EXE. But it wasn’t just pace that defined this game. It was the challenge of containing one of the league’s most dangerous scorers: Yu Nishiune.

Both teams came into the matchup averaging nearly 20 points per contest, and it showed early. With no dominant interior presence on either side, the tempo was relentless from the jump. Nishiune opened his account early, sparking TOKYO DIME.EXE to a 5–1 start within the first minute of play.

But TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE refused to fold. Yusuke Mukai stepped up with back-to-back two-pointers to quickly level the contest. The next few minutes turned into a back-and-forth exchange, with neither team able to pull away as both sides traded baskets in a high-octane stretch.

Eventually, the extra attention given to Nishiune opened the floor for his teammates. Masahiro Komatsu and Koki Higashino capitalised with consecutive scores, triggering an 8–3 run over 90 seconds that shifted the momentum sharply in DIME’s favour. With TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE trying to regroup, Nishiune re-emerged, burying two deep two-pointers in quick succession to push the scoreline to 18–12. From there, TOKYO DIME.EXE managed the clock and the tempo, locking in a key win to top Pool D.

POOL D RESULTS

  • TOKYO DIME.EXE (21) Def SPINNERS.EXE (7)
  • TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE (21) Def SPINNERS.EXE (7)
  • TOKYO DIME.EXE (21) Def TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE (16)

POOL D WINNER:

TOKYO DIME.EXE


POOL D NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Yu Nishiune (TOKYO DIME.EXE) – 9.0 PPG | 100% - 1 PT%
  • Wakasa Koki (TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE) – 7.0 PPG | 80% - 1 PT%
  • Ryoma Takeda (SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE) – 6.0 PPG | 71% - 1 PT%

POOL E

  • ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE- 125 EXE Points | 50% Winning % | 16.2 PPG
  • YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE- 95 EXE Points | 25% Winning % | 13.5 PPG
  • LEOVISTA.EXE- 100 EXE Points | 50% Winning % | 17.8 PPG

POOL E MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Defensive Duel Ends in Gritty Win for YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE

Pool E delivered one of the day’s grittiest games, as YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE and LEOVISTA.EXE, two teams hungry to turn their season around, faced off in a clash that prioritised effort over flair. With both sides yet to find their footing in the opening rounds, Round 3 was seen as a reset button. What followed was a game defined by grinding half-court battles, clutch moments, and razor-thin margins.

For the opening two minutes, neither team gave an inch. Long-range shots were shut down entirely, and every inside attempt was contested. YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE leaned on Naoki Ishikawa and Ryo Sugimoto to generate early pressure, while LEOVISTA.EXE’s Kuon Kogawa and Sho Hasegawa matched the intensity with aggressive drives and physical defence of their own.

The scoreboard barely budged as the teams exchanged blows without either side able to pull away. It was a true possession-by-possession contest, with each basket feeling earned. As the game entered its final minute tied, LEOVISTA.EXE had a golden chance. Kogawa blew by a static defence with a sharp first step, only to miss the open layup that could’ve changed the course of the match.

Instead, the decisive moment came 30 seconds later. Hiroki Sugiyama found himself deep on the block, isolated against a mismatch. Calling for the ball, he made a decisive spin move and left his defender behind. With nothing but space ahead, Sugiyama finished cleanly at the rim, scoring the go-ahead point and sealing a hard-fought win for YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE.

POOL E RESULTS

  • ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE (22) Def YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE (12)
  • YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE (16) Def LEOVISTA.EXE (15)
  • ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE (21) Def LEOVISTA.EXE (15)

POOL E WINNER:

ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE


POOL E NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Wakabayashi, Yukimoto (ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE) – 6.0 PPG | 100% - 1 PT%
  •  Hiroki Sugiyama (YAIZU CITY UNITED.EXE) – 8.3 PPG | 36% FG%
  • Sho Hasegawa (LEOVISTA.EXE) – 7.5 PPG | 52% FG%

POOL F

  • HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE - 125 EXE Points | 50% Winning % | 15.3 PPG
  • SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE - 95 EXE Points | 25% Winning % | 12.8 PPG
  • ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE - 110 EXE Points | 60% Winning % | 17.2 PPG

POOL F MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Ohno’s Deep Two Sparks Pool F Breakaway

Both ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE and HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE entered Round 3 with a taste of success already this season, each having advanced from the pool phase at least once in the opening rounds. Their final pool matchup in HACHINOHE came with everything on the line, only one team would move forward to the last 16, raising the stakes and setting the tone for a gripping finale to Day 1.

The early minutes reflected the intensity. ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE’s Ryuhei Uda was forced into a contested off-balance shot from beyond the arc on the very first possession, highlighting how tough the defence was going to be. But just a few plays later, Uda was able to capitalise through textbook pick-and-roll action, finishing at the rim after perfect spacing opened the lane.

HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE responded in kind, with Yuya Ohno taking on the role of facilitator. His crisp ball movement found both Jovaan Tusevljak and Takuya Kano in rhythm, giving RHINOS the early answers they needed. For the opening three and a half minutes, neither side could break free as the score remained locked.

Then came the spark. Ohno, finally slipping his defender, received the ball nearly two metres behind the arc and didn’t hesitate, launching a deep two-pointer that hit nothing but net. That shot shifted the momentum, fuelling a 10–1 run in which Ohno scored six points, including another bucket from range and a savvy drive to the hoop. The ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE had no response to the burst.

With a comfortable lead now in hand, HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE turned to clock management and composure, closing out the game with control to secure their place in the knockout rounds and wrap up a dramatic day of pool play.

POOL F RESULTS

  • HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE (21) Def SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE (9)
  • ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE (21) Def SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE (15)
  • HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE (21) Def ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE (15)

POOL F WINNER:

HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE


POOL F NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Yuya Ohno (HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE) – 6.7 PPG | 50%
  • Yusaku Iwakawa, (ZIGEXN UPDATERS.EXE) – 7.0 PPG | 50% FG%
  • Kaito Takeuchi, (SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE) – 4.0 PPG | 44% - 1 PT%

POOL G

  • SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE - 130 EXE Points | 66% Winning % | 19.0 PPG
  • 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE - 95 EXE Points | 25% Winning % | 13.0 PPG
  • ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE - 110 EXE Points | 60% Winning % | 16.8 PPG

POOL G MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Hurt and Iwata Lead Late Push for SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE

SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE made a powerful opening statement in their first pool game, dismantling 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE by 13 points and looking every bit the title contender many expect them to be this season. But ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE were determined to make their own case, dropping 21 points in their opener and proving they were more than ready to challenge for the Pool G crown.

The pool decider got off to a fiery start, with Masato Yano carrying the offensive load for ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE. He struck early with a smooth pull-up jumper at the free throw line and went on to score his team’s first five points, immediately establishing himself as the focal point. Supported by the quick-footed Kyle Hikage, ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE built enough rhythm to hold a narrow 11–10 edge by the midpoint.

But SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE had their own answer, and it came in the form of size and presence. With towering seven-footers Stephen Hurt and Yves Niyokwizera controlling the paint on both ends, SHONAN slowed down ASUKAYAMA’s inside looks and began to find their own offensive flow. After a timeout, the momentum shifted.

Ryota Iwata sparked the run by curling off a screen and drilling a two-pointer, handing SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE their first lead of the game. Tomoyuki Kato followed with a strong layup, and Hurt sealed the 4–0 run with a finish in the post. That sequence proved decisive. While ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE kept things tight until the final minute, they never reclaimed the lead, finishing second in the pool, while SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE remained unbeaten and in control.

POOL G RESULTS

  • SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE (21) Def 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE (8)
  • ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE (21) Def 3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE (16)
  • SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE (21) Def ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE (15)

POOL G WINNER:

SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE


POOL G NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Stephen Hurt (SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE) – 7.2 PPG | 75% - 1 PT%
  • Kyle Hikage (ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE) – 5.7 PPG | 76% - 1 PT%
  • Riku Kaneko, (3STORM HIROSHIMA.EXE) – 6.0 PPG | 67% - 1 PT%

POOL H

  • ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE - 200 EXE Points | 100% Winning % | 20.5 PPG
  • NINJA AIRS.EXE – 95 EXE Points | 25% Winning % | 14.3 PPG
  • TOKYO VERDY.EXE - 120 EXE Points | 60% Winning % | 17.8 PPG

POOL H MOMENT THAT MATTERED

NINJA AIRS.EXE Shock TOKYO VERDY.EXE with Grit and Guts

Round 3 presented a tough draw for NINJA AIRS.EXE, who were still searching for form in the 2025 season. Facing two of the league’s most seasoned squads, ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE and TOKYO VERDY.EXE, the challenge was steep. After a rough first game, their second match against a surging TOKYO VERDY.EXE side, fresh off a third-place finish in Round 2, was do-or-die for momentum and morale.

From the very first possession, NINJA AIRS.EXE made it clear they weren’t backing down. Yuya Matsuo set the tone with relentless defence, forcing a turnover that led to Issei Ohno finishing through contact in transition. It was the kind of hustle play that galvanised the squad early. Although Mieda Cocoro briefly lifted TOKYO VERDY.EXE with a deep two, the green-and-black outfit struggled to find rhythm. Their second basket didn’t come until nearly three minutes in, when Ryuta Sekiguchi scored on a simple layup under the hoop.

Despite this, NINJA AIRS.EXE weren’t able to fully break away, and with just under three minutes left, the margin was still razor-thin 12–11 in favour of the underdogs. That’s when Ohno struck again, this time as a playmaker. He found a wide-open Kosuke Kashiwao on the wing, who confidently drained the two-pointer to stretch the lead.

On the next possession, TOKYO VERDY.EXE desperately needed an answer but came up empty. In their scramble to defend the arc, they overcommitted on Ohno, fouling him on a two-point attempt. He stepped up to the line and calmly extended the lead to five. That swing sealed the upset and delivered NINJA AIRS.EXE a much-needed statement win, showcasing their resilience and proving they still have plenty to say this season.

POOL H RESULTS

  • ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (21) Def NINJA AIRS.EXE (8)
  • NINJA AIRS.EXE (21) Def TOKYO VERDY.EXE (14)
  • ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE (21) Def TOKYO VERDY.EXE (12)

POOL H WINNER:

ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE


POOL H NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Jevonnie Scott (ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE) – 10.0 PPG | 80% - 1 PT%
  • Ohno Issei (NINJA AIRS.EXE) – 9.0 PPG | 73% - 1 PT%
  • Riku Oguchi (TOKYO VERDY.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 30% FG%

POOL I

  • HACHINOHE DIME.EXE - 180 EXE Points | 88% Winning % | 20.4 PPG
  • EDEN.EXE - 90 EXE Points | 0% Winning % | 12.0 PPG
  • MEGURO SIXERS.EXE - 100 EXE Points | 50% Winning % | 12.3 PPG

POOL I MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Nishimura Sparks First Win as EDEN.EXE Rallies Late

Neither EDEN.EXE nor MEGURO SIXERS.EXE had made the start to 3x3.EXE Premier 2025 they’d hoped for, but Round 3 offered a fresh opportunity. With both squads eager to turn things around, their matchup became a test of ball movement and patience, especially with both teams leaning heavily on guard play, aside from the presence of Jonathan Kabongo providing a size edge for MEGURO.

The game started slow and strategic, with defences dictating the early tempo. It took nearly two minutes before the first paint score dropped, as both sides probed for quality looks. The deadlock persisted well into the midway point of the contest, with the teams level at 7 apiece before EDEN.EXE found their first spark.

Tsukasa Nishimura initiated the breakthrough with a strong drive to the hoop, absorbing contact and converting a tough And-1 play. That momentum was quickly compounded by a clean two-pointer from Masayuki Suzuki, giving EDEN.EXE a four-point cushion. But it didn’t last. MEGURO SIXERS.EXE fired right back through Kohei Ishida, who knocked down back-to-back deep shots to pull the game even once more.

When Ishida hit a midrange jumper to give the SIXERS a narrow 12–11 lead, it looked like their momentum was building. But Nishimura flipped the script again. He responded with a two-pointer and set off a crucial 5–1 run for EDEN.EXE. Suzuki stepped into a playmaking role, setting up both Daiki Uematsu and Akira Kobayashi for clean finishes at the rim. It was a team effort, and it came at just the right time.

Though Satoru Wakagi added a late score for MEGURO, a mistimed foul while pressing for a turnover gave EDEN.EXE opportunities at the free throw line. They took their time, stayed composed, and closed out the contest slowly but surely. Despite MEGURO SIXERS.EXE posting their highest point total of the season with 18, it wasn’t enough to overcome the late surge. EDEN.EXE, finally clicking as a unit, secured their first win of 2025.

POOL I RESULTS

  • HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (21) Def EDEN.EXE (14)
  • EDEN.EXE (21) Def MEGURO SIXERS.EXE (18)
  • HACHINOHE DIME.EXE (21) Def MEGURO SIXERS.EXE (15)

POOL I WINNER:

HACHINOHE DIME.EXE


POOL I NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Chu Maduabum (HACHINOHE DIME.EXE) – 8.5 PPG | 83% - 1 PT%
  • Tsukasa Nishimura (EDEN.EXE) – 7.5 PPG | 77% - 1 PT%
  • Kohei Ishida (MEGURO SIXERS.EXE) – 7.0 PPG | 75% - 1 PT%

POOL J

  • IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE - 125 EXE Points | 50% Winning % | 18.0 PPG
  • ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE - 95 EXE Points | 25% Winning % | 13.5 PPG
  • IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE - 120 EXE Points | 60% Winning % | 17.0 PPG

POOL J MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Tactical Masterclass Sends IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE to Top of Group

After both teams posted convincing double-digit wins over ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE, the clash between IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE and IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE became a battle to claim the top spot in Pool J and with it, a chance to re-enter the top four of the overall standings. What followed was a clinical example of strategy and execution from IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE.

From the outset, their game plan was clear: neutralise Justin Herold. By dragging the dominant big man away from the rim on defence, IRISPARTNERS hoped to use their speed to create space inside. The tactic paid off early. Adachi Hayato found an open lane and finished a crafty drive to get IRISPARTNERS on the board. Meanwhile, Takehiro Yamaguchi needed a pair of off-ball screens to free himself for IKEBUKURO’s first points, a tough, fading jumper.

But it wasn’t just offence. IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE were doubling Herold whenever he touched the ball, closing down his usual interior dominance and building an early 5–1 lead. To his credit, Herold adjusted quickly and began finding teammates for open looks, including a strong layup that trimmed the margin to 5–3.

Still, the pace of IRISPARTNERS began to overwhelm IKEBUKURO. Over the next two minutes, the floodgates opened. Daisuke Sato, Sota Yamada, and Yuki Nakazaki attacked with relentless pace, combining for a punishing 8–1 run that stretched the lead to 13–4. The speed advantage became the difference-maker, catching IKEBUKURO flat-footed on multiple possessions.

Although Herold and Taroburaitochukuoma Saito fought to keep the game within reach, the closest the gap would return to was five. IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE maintained control throughout, with Daisuke continuing to shine down the stretch as they closed out a dominant 22–11 win, securing the top spot in Pool J and putting the rest of the league on notice.

POOL J RESULTS

  • IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE (22) Def ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE (12)
  • IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE (22) Def ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE (10)
  • IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE (22) Def IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE (11)

POOL J WINNER:

IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE


POOL J NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Sato Daisuke (IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE) – 8.7 PPG | 73% - 1 PT%
  • Justin Herold (IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE) – 6.0 PPG | 42% FG%
  • Eisuke Kurogi (ADDELM ELEMENTS.EXE) – 6.0 PPG | 50% - 1 PT%

POOL K

  • BEEFMAN.EXE - 130 EXE Points | 66% Winning % | 16.7 PPG
  • UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE - 95 EXE Points | 25% Winning % | 15.3 PPG
  • SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE - 95 EXE Points | 25% Winning % | 17.3 PPG

POOL K MOMENT THAT MATTERED

UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE Shine Late to Break Through SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE Pressure

Though UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE and SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE entered Round 3 with a combined 25% win rate, their records didn’t tell the full story. Both teams had suffered tight losses all season, rarely falling by more than a handful of points. That competitive edge was on full display again in this pool clash, a high-effort battle between two offensively capable sides hungry for momentum.

While SUNRISE held a slight height advantage, with three players hovering around the 6’3 mark, the opening exchanges were evenly matched. Both teams traded baskets at the rim, with Bogdan Filipović’s two-pointer giving UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE a narrow 4–2 lead early. But SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE weren’t backing down. Yuichi Kawamoto answered with a deep two from the corner, and again later with a driving layup through traffic to tie things at 10–10 with four minutes left on the clock.

That would be the last moment the game felt level. A defensive breakdown left Filipović unguarded under the rim for an easy layup, and UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE seized the momentum. Shota Abe followed with an And-1, and Filipović scored again inside, all on consecutive possessions that broke the game wide open.

Hiroki Oh managed to stop the bleeding momentarily with a much-needed score for SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE, but the highlight play of the game was still to come. Kifu Mashiko took matters into his own hands, isolating his defender at the top, dancing beyond the arc, and launching a towering two-pointer while drawing contact. The shot arced high out of frame and dropped cleanly, symbolising UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE’s grip on the contest. From there, UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE controlled the tempo and closed out the game 21–14, securing a crucial win and a sign their season might be ready to turn.

POOL K RESULTS

  • BEEFMAN.EXE (22) Def UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (18)
  • UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (21) Def SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE (14)
  • BEEFMAN.EXE (22) Def SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE (16)

POOL K WINNER:

BEEFMAN.EXE


POOL K NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Toshitaka Umebayashi (BEEFMAN.EXE) – 8.7 PPG | 36% - 2 PT%
  • Kifu Mashiko (UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE) – 6.7 PPG | 70% - 1 PT%
  • Ryoma Takeda (SAITAMA WILDBEARS.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 59% - FG%

POOL L

  • SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE - 140 EXE Points | 66% Winning % | 20.2 PPG
  • FUZ HOKKAIDO.EXE - 90 EXE Points | 0% Winning % | 13.5 PPG
  • SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE - 110 EXE Points | 40% Winning % | 17.0 PPG

POOL L MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Fast, Fluid, Final: SHINAGAWA WILDCATS.EXE Dominate SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE

The final pool game on Court 2 featured a clash for top spot between SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE and SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE, both teams having handled FUZ HOKKAIDO.EXE earlier in the day. With a place in the knockout rounds already secured, this one was all about positioning and pride.

SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE struck first, with Koji Nagata scoring on the opening possession. But as has quickly become the hallmark of SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE, they responded immediately. Just five seconds later, Naoto Ito pushed the ball in transition and found Hiroto Takeda for a lightning-fast reply. The tone was set.

Takeda followed up his early score with a confident two-pointer, and Ito added another moments later to stretch SHINAGAWA’s lead. SENDAI momentarily stemmed the tide with a deep two from Ren Konno that cut the margin to four, but the momentum swung hard and fast.

Yuto Maita knocked down a corner shot to trigger a scoring avalanche for the WILDCATS. Over their next eight possessions, they scored on six—three of those coming from long range. The most telling moment came when Ito, double-teamed at the top, dished a no-look pass to Shinji Naruse cutting backdoor for a clean layup. It capped a ruthless 10–2 burst that left SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE with no way back.

SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE closed out the game 21–9 in emphatic fashion, securing top position in Pool L and reminding the competition that when their transition game clicks, they’re nearly impossible to stop.

POOL L RESULTS

  • SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE (21) Def FUZ HOKKAIDO.EXE (12)
  • SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE (21) Def FUZ HOKKAIDO.EXE (13)
  • SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE (21) Def SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE (9)

POOL L WINNER:

SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE


POOL L NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Naoto Ito (SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE) – 6.8 PPG | 32% - 2 PT%
  • Ren Chida (SENDAI AIRJOKER.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 50% - 1 PT%
  • Yosuke Sugawara (FUZ HOKKAIDO.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 47% FG%

LOOKING AHEAD TO DAY 2

With all 36 teams hitting the court in HACHINOHE for Day 1 of Round 3, the All-Conference event delivered a full slate of drama, statement wins, and breakout performances. From narrow escapes to dominant blowouts, each pool brought its own flavour, setting the stage for an electric final day.

The action now shifts to the Round of 16, where every possession matters and only the best will advance. SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE and SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE look to carry their unbeaten momentum, while teams like ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE and HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE aim to prove they can go the distance. We’re also treated to a mouth-watering clash between high-flying scorers TOKYO DIME.EXE and the always dangerous SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE, while UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE face hometown heroes HACHINOHE DIME.EXE in what promises to be a physical showdown.

From the pool chaos the round of 16 matchups have emerged:

  • SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE vs ASUKAYAMA CHERRYBLOSSOMS.EXE
  • SHONAN SEASIDE.EXE vs HOKUSO RHINOS.EXE
  • TOKYO DIME.EXE vs SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE
  • UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE vs HACHINOHE DIME.EXE
  • EPIC.EXE vs TRYHOOP OKAYAMA.EXE
  • ESDGZ OTAKI.EXE vs BEEFMAN.EXE
  • MINAKAMI TOWN.EXE vs IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE
  • ZETHREE ISHIKAWA.EXE vs SIMON.EXE

The path to the podium only gets tougher from here. Who will rise? Who will fall? Day 2 is ready to answer the question.

Written by Andrew Cannings