Olympic-ready China triumphs in Langfang, FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2024

LANGFANG (China) – China remained undefeated at home, beating Maebashi Flowlish EXE (JPN) 21-15 in the final to win the FIBA 3×3 Langfang 2024 stage on July 12-13.

The winner: China

China is in fine form heading into the Paris Olympics and is back to its dominant ways in Langfang.

It all started with a fierce battle against Japan’s Maebashi Flowlish EXE. ZhiTing Zhang and Mingling Chen scored 5 points each, while reigning W Series MVP Lili Wang scored 9 points. A 21-18 victory looked promising.

The game then turned into another thriller, this time against the Chinese U24 team. A 21-19 victory thanks to Zhang who scored 9 points while Wang added 6. They then took matters into their own hands against the Philippines, with Zhang and Chen combining for 19 points with 11 and 8 respectively.

A 3-0 group stage win saw them advance straight to the semi-finals where they were once again pitted against the Chinese Under-24 team. An easier result this time for the Olympic team, they won 22-12 with Wang scoring the team’s highest score, 9.

With that, they were heading into a final match.

The Finalist: Maebashi Flowlish EXE

Japan’s low-key team turned heads with a statement in Langfang.

The team narrowly lost to China in the opening game, but quickly bounced back. They won 20-13 against the Philippines. Misa Yokoi and Anna Tivenius each scored 8 points. They then followed that up with a 15-9 run where Fukuyo Takahashi made a statement. Her 12 points were the difference.

In the quarter-finals, they faced a strong Mongolian team, whose core had already won a stage this season in Ulaanbaatar. Maebashi, however, held on, eliminating the Mongolians 21 to 15. Tivenius and Takahashi combined for 16 points.

It was another victory that followed, this time in the semi-final against China U23. Fukuyo Takahashi once again scored 12 points in their 21-15 victory.

This miraculous run allowed them to win a rematch against the Chinese team in the final.

The final

China 21 – 15 Maebashi Flowlish EXE

China showed their strengths early in the match, opening the game with a 7-1 lead. Mingling Chen got his team off to a good start. Tivenius and Takahashi responded, scoring shots to keep their team in the game.

Lili Wang kept the pace of the game going, allowing her team to continue to lead with sporadic baskets. However, two-pointers from Takahashi and Yokoi allowed the team to lead by two points (12-10).

Fortunately for China, it was Lili Wang who took the game beyond the frame. She scored numerous two-pointers to widen the lead. Mingling Chen sealed the outcome with a mid-range basket. China won in a dominant manner at home and looks set to travel to Paris.

Ranking

1. China

2. Maebashi Flowlish EXE (JPN)

3. China U23

4. China U24

5. Thailand

6. Mongolia

7. Philippines

8. Singapore

And after

The W Series will then head to Kosovo with the Pristina Women’s Series which will take place from July 18-19.