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Round 4 Day 1

The action returned to Aichi for Day 1 of Round 4, where defensive grit, breakout scorers, and tactical team play set the tone. With the league heating up as we near the halfway point of the season, every game carried extra weight. UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE continued their strong run, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE reminded everyone why they’re #1, and SIMON.EXE made a statement with their first finals appearance of 2025.

Intensity, adjustments, and championship habits were on full display. Day 1 didn’t disappoint.

POOL A

  • UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE – 155 EXE Points | 29% Winning % | 16.1 PPG
  • EDEN.EXE – 140 EXE Points | 17% Winning % | 13.8 PPG
  • SPINNERS.EXE– 135 EXE Points | 0% Winning % | 10.0 PPG

POOL A MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Mashiko Ignites UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE Run to Top Pool A

UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE entered their second game of the day looking sharp after a dominant opening win, while SPINNERS.EXE were stepping on court for the first time, eager to make their mark. The opening possessions went the way of the newcomers as Kota Moriya wasted no time setting the tone, draining a two-pointer after a missed alley-oop attempt by UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE. Moments later, he struck again, back-to-back twos giving SPINNERS.EXE a quick and confident start.

For UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, early rhythm was elusive. The offence sputtered at times, but sparks came through the aggression of Attila Ergir and the craftiness of Shota Abe, both of whom found ways to attack the rim and keep the scoreboard ticking. Still, neither team could fully capitalise on the other's miscues, and the game remained deadlocked at 7-7 midway through.

The momentum shifted coming out of the media timeout. A second-chance effort led to Kifu Mashiko finding space on the perimeter and nailing a clean two. The very next trip down, Mashiko turned provider, this time kicking out to Daizen Saeki, who buried another from distance. Just like that, UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE seized control, sparking a game-defining 7-1 run that flipped the tempo of the contest.

 SPINNERS.EXE weren’t ready to fold, and Yusif Joof in particular fought valiantly, scoring six of their final eight points in a late surge. But the damage was already done. That second-half shooting burst from UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE proved decisive, lifting them to a 2–0 start on the day and securing the top spot in Pool A.

POOL A RESULTS

  • Game 1 - UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (21) Def EDEN.EXE (10)
  • Game 2 - UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (18) Def SPINNERS.EXE (16)
  • Game 3 - EDEN.EXE (17) Def SPINNERS.EXE (15)

POOL A WINNER:

UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE


POOL A NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Attila Ergir (UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE) – 5.3PPG | 47% FG%
  • Tsukasa Nishimura (EDEN.EXE) – 5.0 PPG | 44% - 1 PT FG%
  • Yusif Joof (SPINNERS.EXE) – 6.0PPG | 67% - 1PT FG%

POOL B

  • SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE - 260 EXE Points | 85% Winning % | 20.2 PPG
  • SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE  - 210 EXE Points | 70% Winning % | 20.3 PPG
  • BRIDGE LINE MP3.EXE - 135 EXE Points | 0% Winning % | 11.0 PPG

POOL B MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Depth Delivers Again as SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE Power Past SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE

Despite missing the Wizard of Ozawa, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE entered Round 4 with the confidence of a team sitting atop the 2025 standings, and they played like it. Facing off against SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE, a side with flashes of potential and a top 10 position on the ladder, this matchup had the potential to be tighter than expected. And early on, it delivered just that.

After a physical and evenly matched first three minutes, the score was locked at 7-all. SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE found rhythm through their ball movement and looked sharp in transition, but their finishing touch wasn’t quite there. Meanwhile, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE were still finding their groove without Ozawa, relying instead on a team-oriented approach and tight defensive coverage to stay in the contest.

That breakthrough came in the form of a beautifully timed 5-1 run, sparked by sharp ball movement and contributions from Hayate Suzuki, Dušan Samardžić and Ryoma Saito. It was a stretch of play that perfectly captured SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s identity this season—unselfish basketball, constant movement, and a relentless tempo. SHINAGAWA CC WILCATS.EXE created some solid looks through Ita Naoto and Shinji Naruse, but the shots just didn’t fall when they needed them most.

With the momentum firmly shifted, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE took control and never looked back. Their confidence ballooned, and from that point on, it was all one-way traffic. The chains were off, the tempo lifted, and by the time the scoreboard read 21-12, the statement had been made: SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE don’t need to rely on one player to win—they’re a complete unit.

POOL B RESULTS

  • Game 1- SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (22) Def BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE (6)
  • Game 2 - SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (21) Def SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE (12)
  • Game 3 - SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE (21) Def BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE (7)

POOL B WINNER:

SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE


POOL B NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Hayate Suzuki (SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE) – 8.5 PPG | 91% - 2 PT%
  • Yuto Maita (SHINAGAWA CC WILDCATS.EXE) – 5.5 PPG | 63% FG%
  • Sigurd Sandal (BRIDGELINE MP3.EXE) – 4.0 PPG | 73% - 1 PT%

POOL C

  • IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE - 175 EXE Points | 50% Winning % | 18.1 PPG
  • IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE - 180 EXE Points | 63% Winning % | 17.6 PPG
  • TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE - 145 EXE Points | 50% Winning % | 16.7 PPG

POOL C MOMENT THAT MATTERED

Jennings Closes the Door as IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE Rally to Top Pool C

In what was arguably the most balanced pool of the day, Pool C featured three teams all averaging over 16 points per game and holding at least a 50% win rate coming into Round 4. IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE were chasing a return to their early season form after a runner-up finish in Round 1, while TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE continued their trend of splitting pool games in every round. Something had to give.

Both teams came out firing, with Taroburaitochukuoma Saito and Ozzie Henderson trading deep twos on back-to-back possessions within the first minute. Despite creating quality chances, IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE struggled at the line early, missing several opportunities to build momentum. That left the door open for TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE, who capitalized behind strong play from Henderson and Vaughn McCall II. A quick-fire 7–1 run, including back-to-back twos from McCall II and Rikiya Kato, gave the Razorbacks a 9–4 lead.

IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE weren’t done yet. A clutch two from #8 and a composed layup from Saito cut the deficit and got them back in the game. By the time the midpoint timeout rolled around, TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE were only up 12–9, and the intensity was building. The teams traded baskets for the next few possessions, keeping the outcome in the balance with time ticking down.

Enter Spencer Jennings. With the game tied late, Jennings blew by his defender from the top to convert a slick layup, giving IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE their first lead at 17–16. On the next possession, TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE came up empty, and Jennings seized the moment again, using a hesitation move to create just enough space to drain a two-pointer. That six-point swing in a matter of seconds sealed the deal, as IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE closed out the game and claimed the top spot in Pool C.

POOL C RESULTS

  • Game 1 - IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE (21) Def IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE (15)
  • Game 2 - IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE (21) Def TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE (13)
  • Game 3 - IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE (21) Def TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE (19)

POOL C WINNER:

IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE


POOL C NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Spencer Jennings (IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE) – 7.0 PPG | 37% FG%
  • Sato Daisuke (IRISPARTNERS AICHI.EXE) – 7.5 PPG | 34% FG%
  • Vaughn McCall II (TARUI RAZORBACKS.EXE) – 7.0 PPG | 40% FG%

POOL D

  • SIMON.EXE - 155 EXE Points | 29% Winning % | 17.7 PPG
  • LEOVISTA.EXE - 145 EXE Points | 33% Winning % | 17.0 PPG
  • SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE - 140 EXE Points | 17% Winning % | 12.7 PPG

POOL D MOMENT THAT MATTERED

LEOVISTA.EXE Finish Pool Play on a High with Second-Half Surge

With the top seed in Pool D already secured, the final game of the day brought together two teams eager to build momentum for the second half of the season. Both LEOVISTA.EXE and SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE had shown flashes of promise in Round 3 but were still chasing consistency. This matchup offered the chance for a much-needed confidence boost heading into the latter stages of the 2025 campaign.

The energy was evident early, as both teams converted on their opening possessions. Sho Hasegawa found Kuon Kogawa with a clean assist to get LEOVISTA.EXE on the board, while Yuya Hosoda answered right back for SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE. The back-and-forth continued for several minutes as neither side was able to create separation, with defensive pressure and rebounding keeping the score tight.

The turning point came around the six-minute mark. LEOVISTA.EXE began to impose themselves physically inside, capitalising on second-chance opportunities and quick interior cuts. Kogawa led the charge with three of his next five points during a decisive 5-1 run that exposed SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE’s tiring defence. The game began to slip away as LEOVISTA.EXE’s tempo and control in the paint shifted the momentum entirely.

That burst proved too much to overcome. Despite SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE’s attempts to claw back, LEOVISTA.EXE closed the contest with a commanding 9-4 run over the final four minutes. It was a much-needed result for the squad, securing second place in Pool D for Round 4 and restoring belief as they look ahead to the knockout rounds.

POOL D RESULTS

  • Game 1 - SIMON.EXE (21) Def SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE (7)
  • Game 2 - SIMON.EXE (21) Def LEOVISTA.EXE (12)
  • Game 3 - LEOVISTA.EXE (16) Def SAITAMA HEARTS.EXE (13)

POOL D WINNER:

SIMON.EXE


POOL D NOTABLE SCORERS:

  • Mike Harry (SIMON.EXE) – 6.3 PPG | 50% -FG%
  • Sho Hasegawa (LEOVISTA.EXE) – 5.5 PPG | 56% - 1 PT%
  • Yuya Hosoda (SAITAMA HEARST.EXE) – 4.0 PPG | 55% - 1 PT%

SEMI FINAL 1

UENOHARA SUNRISE vs SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE

Experience Overcomes Resilience: SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE Dominate First Semi-Final

After a gritty and unbeaten run through Pool A, UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE had proven their resilience, especially in their final pool game. But the challenge in the semi-final was of a different calibre, as they faced off against the league-leading and ever-dangerous SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE, a team known for its depth, discipline, and dominant post play.

That same resilience was visible early as UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE set the tone defensively, forcing SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE into a string of tough looks in their opening possessions. However, SHINAGAWA’s own defensive response was just as fierce, with Dušan Samardžić soaring in from the weak side to block a two-point attempt from the corner, signalling that SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE were ready for battle.

It took nearly a full minute before either side could score, but it was Hayate Suzuki who finally broke through for SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE, isolating his man in the post to open the scoring. Seeing a clear mismatch, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE doubled down on their interior attack. Suzuki scored again the very next possession, and was followed by baskets from Samardžić and Tomoya Ochiai, as the favourites opened up a commanding 6-0 lead.

It wasn’t until the three-minute mark that UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE finally broke the drought. Kifu Mashiko slipped past the defence for a tough layup, giving his team their first points of the game. But SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE kept pressing the issue. Ryoma Saito scored back-to-back baskets, pushing the gap even wider, as their movement and post rotations proved difficult to contain.

Shota Abe showed his trademark tenacity, muscling his way through contact to complete a tough and-one play, followed by a short surge of life from UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, highlighted by a free throw from Attila Ergir and a composed pull-up jumper from Mashiko. Yet every flicker of momentum from the underdogs was met by a more emphatic answer from SHINAGAWA. When Ergir finally found his range from beyond the arc, knocking down three straight twos, the lead ballooned to 11.

The final moments were a showcase of SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s experience and composure. A no-look, over-the-head dime from Ochiai found Suzuki cutting to the basket for an easy layup, putting an exclamation point on a dominant performance. Despite the heart shown by UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE’s control from start to finish was never in doubt, as they marched into the final with a decisive 21-10 victory.

SCORE

SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (21) Def UENOHARA SUNRISE.EXE (10)

SEMI FINAL 2

SIMON.EXE vs IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE

Mike Harry Dominates as SIMON.EXE Advances to Championship Game

The second semi-final brought together two squads hungry to prove they still belonged in the conversation for 2025. IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE, once finalists in Round 1, were desperate to rediscover that spark, while SIMON.EXE, a team with pedigree from deep runs in both the 2024 season and the 3x3.EXE Super Premier, were eager to recapture their early-year form and break through to their first final of the current campaign.

The game opened with intensity on both ends. Lawrence Kawasaki got things moving with a smooth layup off his first touch, but Spencer Jennings wasted no time answering for IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE with a layup of his own. The pace quickened as Tsubasa Iseki, stepped up in a big way, first draining a deep two, then driving hard to the hoop for another basket, scoring five straight and setting the tone for SIMON’s early momentum.

Both teams displayed relentless hustle, trading blocks and contesting everything at the rim. But it was SIMON.EXE who found separation, thanks to contributions from Mike Harry and Cheick Keita, building a small but important lead. By the midpoint, Harry had taken control inside, proving difficult to contain as he bullied his way to the hoop on consecutive plays, helping stretch the advantage to 10–5.

Out of the timeout, Harry continued his dominant performance, selling a pump fake at the free throw line and finishing through contact for a tough and-one play. On the very next possession, his presence again ignited the SIMON.EXE offence, leading to another team score and pushing the game further out of reach.

Jennings, however, showed his class and kept IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE fighting. He hit a two from the top of the arc, then followed it up with a high-arching shot that benefitted from the “shooter’s roll,” narrowing the gap to just five. But Iseki quickly extinguished any hope of a comeback with another dagger from beyond the arc, rebuilding SIMON.EXE’s cushion in the closing stages.

The final two minutes were a defensive grind, as both teams locked in and refused to give up easy baskets. But the damage had been done. SIMON.EXE held firm, ran out the clock, and secured an impressive 18–11 win, punching their ticket to their first final of the 2025 season and reestablishing themselves as a legitimate title threat.

SCORE

SIMON.EXE (18) Def IKEBUKURO DROPS.EXE (11)

Grand FINAL

SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE vs SIMON.EXE

SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE Outmuscles SIMON.EXE to Claim Round 4 Day 1 Title

The grand final of Day 1 in Round 4 saw two defensive juggernauts face off, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE, who had steamrolled their way through the bracket with disciplined execution and elite post play, and SIMON.EXE, a resurgent squad anchored by size and physicality in the paint. While their roads to the final differed, both teams shared a common trait: gritty, hard-nosed basketball.

From the opening tip, that defensive intensity was immediately evident. Neither side gave an inch, forcing tough looks and contested drives. The first breakthrough came from an unlikely source, Tsubasa Iseki, the smallest player on the floor, who chased down his own miss and converted the putback, breaking the early deadlock and giving SIMON.EXE a brief lift.

SIMON.EXE’s paint defense was suffocating early, holding SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE scoreless for nearly two full minutes, an almost unheard-of stretch for the high-powered SHINAGAWA offense. It was Hayate Suzuki who ended the drought with a strong move inside, and Dušan Samardžić added another basket soon after to help SHINAGAWA regain a narrow 2–1 lead through the opening three minutes.

Once they found their rhythm, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE began to assert control. Samardžić added a pair of inside finishes, pushing the lead to 6–2 at the halfway mark. Although SIMON.EXE’s Mike Harry tried to slow the momentum, SHINAGAWA’s ability to draw contact and convert from the line steadily extended their cushion, forcing SIMON.EXE into a timeout with just over three minutes remaining.

Following the break, SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE showed their composure and depth. Tomoya Ochiai, Samardžić, and Ryoma Saito all contributed critical baskets that kept the scoreboard ticking. Harry responded with a highlight-reel two-handed jam to energize his side, but SHINAGAWA answered quickly and repeatedly, refusing to let their lead slip.

Despite late efforts from Cheick Keita and Harry to claw back into the contest, SIMON.EXE were forced to trade baskets, and when you're behind, trading is never enough. SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE ran out 18–9 winners, dominating the paint and showcasing their trademark balance of finesse and power. With the win, SHINAGAWA claimed their second title of the 2025 season, continuing to look every bit the team to beat in 3x3.EXE Premier Japan.

SCORE

SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE (18) Def SIMON.EXE (9)

🏆 MVP – Hayate Suzuki (SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE)

8.5 PPG | 91% - 1Pt FG% | 74% FG%

The man who does it all finally gets his flowers. Hayate Suzuki’s relentless hustle, smart decisions, and elite efficiency helped push SHINAGAWA CITY.EXE to the top on Day 1 of Round 4. Whether it was punishing mismatches in the post or doing the little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet, Suzuki’s impact was constant—and now, officially recognised with MVP honours.

Standings

Links

FIBA 3x3 Event Page - 3x3.EXE Premier Japan - FIBA 3x3 Event Page

Youtube Link - 3x3.EXE Premier Japan - Round 4 Day 1

3x3EXE Standings - https://3x3exe.com/premier/standings/

3x3EXE Schedule - https://3x3exe.com/premier/schedules/