Serbia gets 3-peat in men’s, Italy rules women’s Fiba 3×3 World Cup

Serbia celebrates after winning the Fiba 3×3 World Cup anew. Photo from Fiba.com

Serbia ruled the Fiba 3×3 World Cup for the third straight time after edging Netherlands, 16-13, in the men’s final Tuesday night at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The top-ranked Serbians, made up of Dejan Majstorovic, Marko Savic, Dusan Bulut and Stefan Stojacic, went undefeated in the tournament as they swept their way to the championship.

Serbia faced futile resistance from Mongolia in the quarterfinals, 21-8, before slipping past Poland, 21-19, in the semifinals.

Last year, Serbia also beat Netherlands in the championship round held in Nantes, France.

Meanwhile, Italy dethroned Russia to win the gold in the women’s division.

Led by the crafty Rae Lin D’Alie, Italy seized its first 3×3 title following a 16-12 victory in the finals.

The gritty Italians, who drew contributions from Giulia Ciavarella, Marcella Filippi and Giulia Rulli throughout the run, suffered only one defeat in the tournament when they fell short against Czech Republic, 21-20, in their final elimination round game on Monday.

But Italy’s road to the top had to go through team USA in the quarterfinals and No. 1 seed China in the semifinals.