Japan’s Shinjuku Givers win inaugural Cebu Hustle 3x3 trophy

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The visiting Shinjuku Givers completed a dominant run to capture the inaugural Cebu Hustle 3×3 crown on Sunday, June 21, at the SM Seaside City Cebu Mountain Wing Atrium.

The Japanese side capped its unbeaten campaign with a commanding 21-8 victory over an undermanned Uratex Dream squad in the championship match, capping a statement win in the international women’s 3×3 tournament.

Cebuano fans were treated to high-level action as local and foreign squads battled in a showcase that displayed the rise of 3×3 basketball in the Philippines in recent years. The tournament highlighted the growing strength and visibility of women’s basketball on the half-court stage.

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Shinjuku wasted no time asserting control, racing to a 9-0 start behind the early offensive burst of eventual Tournament Most Valuable Player Esther Ibeh and Yumi Takakuwa, a former Uratex import who found her rhythm against her old squad.

Takakuwa on the frontline

Takakuwa finished with six points, while Ibeh powered through with seven points and five rebounds to anchor the Givers’ championship performance. Milai Mori added four points, and Mizuno Naho chipped in key baskets before Mori sealed the win with a corner two-pointer with 1:31 remaining.

“I fought from the beginning until the end, and I’m very happy that we got the win and I got to show my skill,” said Ibeh, a 6-foot Nigerian center who revealed this was her first experience in 3×3 basketball.

Ibeh later clinched the MVP award and led the Mythical Three alongside Uratex Dream’s Renzhu Li and CT Tigers’ Kiri Endo.

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The Givers not only secured the US$3,000 top prize but also completed a perfect tournament run after topping Pool A on Day 1, edging fellow Japanese squad Maurice Lacroix, 14-9, in the quarterfinals, and surviving a tight 21-19 semifinal win over Thailand’s CT Tigers.

Valiant Uratex Dream

Despite the loss, Uratex Dream still delivered a gritty stand, led by Li who finished with four points, including a jumper that ended the Philippine side’s early scoring drought late in the game. Kaye Pingol added three points, while Sam Harada chipped in one as they settled for the US$2,000 runner-up prize.

Uratex played the final with only three players after losing Angel Surada in their tense 13-12 overtime semifinal win over Pilipinas Aguilas, a setback that proved costly against the deeper Japanese side.

The result mirrored their runner-up finish in Manila Hustle 3×3 Season 4, where they also fell to a Japanese club, Flowlish Gunma, as they continue their search for a breakthrough title.

In the battle for third place, CT Tigers edged Pilipinas Aguilas, 15-12. Endo starred with six points and four assists, including a clutch jumper that pushed the Thai squad ahead in the closing minute. She also completed a double achievement after winning the Two-Point Shootout, helping CT Tigers secure the US$1,000 prize.

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