Edmonton at the Nanjing Masters - Day 1 Recap
Earlier this year, Edmonton picked up their very first 3x3 tournament victory in Nanjing. Now they find themselves back in the Chinese city where they had their first taste of success, hoping for it to happen again in the Nanjing Masters.
This would be Edmonton's last World Tour appearance before the final in Utsunomiya at the end of October. While they are one of the season's highest-ranked teams, their place in the final stop was not yet confirmed. The Nanjing Masters would be their last chance to pick up vital tour points to ensure their spot in the final - or even guarantee their place with tournament victory.
They found themselves with a tough opening pool game against titanic 3x3 side Liman and later they would have local crowds against them when they faced native Shanghai.
In the first game against Liman, the teams traded baskets for the first part of the game, but the Serbian side had the advantage. While Liman went three points in front after five minutes, Jordan Baker's inside game kept Edmonton within touch. Liman's superior close-range offence, led by top scorer Stefan Kojic who had seven points, kept them in front and they ended the game ahead 17-14.
With Shanghai then suffering a five-point loss to Liman, both they and Edmonton now had one last chance to return the following day. When the teams met in the last game of Pool B, Edmonton opened with an 8-0 run after two minutes and fifteen seconds played.
Goran Vidovic sparked Shanghai, bringing them to within two points with just over a minute and a half left on the clock. In the remaining time, Steve Sir and Jordan Baker had the last of their respective ten and nine points to seal the win for Edmonton, 22-16. This crucial win put them second in the pool and earned them their place in the quarter finals.
When play resumes tomorrow they will face NY Harlem in the quarter finals, who are so far undefeated after victories over Amsterdam and Chongming in Pool D. Check back here for a full report on the second day's action, while full information on the tournament so far can be found on the official FIBA website.
Picture: FIBA.com
