3x3 Montreal Masters 2022 - Knockout Stage Recap

Eight teams were left to battle it out over three rounds of intense 3x3 basketball in pursuit of the latest World Tour prize, which would be awarded to the last team standing at the Place des Festivals in Montreal.

The most exciting sights of the knockout round were during the quarter final between Sakiai and Ulaanbaatar, where Steve Sir went off against the Lithuanian team, scoring four from beyond the arc. Ulaanbaatar's outside shooting gave them the edge and midway through had a seven-point lead.

Sakiai responded with an 8-1 run to their first lead of the game, a one point lead went back and forth between the teams and eventually the scores tied at the final buzzer. In overtime a two from Marijus Uzupis, the last of his fifteen in the game, brought it all to a close from so far out:

Beijing were the biggest surprise package of day one and there was more drama in their quarter final tie with Omaha. After a one-point lead changed hands four times, Omaha went up by three in the second part of the game.

Beijing repeatedly tied the scores and tried to regain the lead, only for the American team to go in front themselves. With the last of his game-high eleven points, Dylan Travis sent Beijing packing after a promising start in Montreal, while Omaha progressed into the semi finals.

Also in the quarter finals, Stefan Stojacic was once again on fire for Vienna, helping turn around two separate four-point deficits against San Juan. The Austrian team went in front with an 8-0 run and prevented any sort of response from San Juan, winning 19-15.

Similarly, Riga began with eight unanswered points against Princeton with Karlis Lasmanis connecting from all distances leading the Latvians to a nine-point lead. Princeton went on to tie the scores ahead of the final minute but Nauris Miezis was on hand to put the game to bed with a two. Riga moved on to the semi finals, where Lasmanis once again was key to their offence. Their opponents, Vienna, started strong but lost their momentum halfway through, leaving the door open for Riga to surge in front and roll right into the final.

The other semi final began with Omaha building an early five point lead, with Modestas Kumpys leading Sakiai in closing the gap and, after scoring five without reply, they had the lead. With time running out Omaha tried to save the game for themselves but Riga would not be denied from close range, with Marijus Uzupis making the shot that would sent them into the final.

The Montreal final then would be contested between the Baltic neighbours Riga and Sakiai, with a win being their first on the world tour in 2022. The Lithuanians had the early lead, but Riga turned the game around with a 6-1 run, to which Sakiai responded with six points of their own, tying the scores with two minutes left.

Riga quickly regained the lead with Sakiai trying to instigate a late push with their outside shooting and put only a point between the teams in the last seconds, Lasmanis put up the shot which put the final result beyond doubt.

It was not just the title for Riga - their first of 2022 - but their leading light Lasmanis finished in Montreal as the highest scorer, with Sakiai's Aurelijus Pukelis the leading rebounder. While any of the day two teams would have finished as worthy winners, Riga made the biggest claim for the trophy with the most outstanding play across the weekend.

For more on the 2022 Montreal Masters, follow this link to the official FIBA 3x3 World Tour website.