The Fiba 3×3 Hong Kong Masters basketball event made a triumphant return to Victoria Park this Saturday, drawing in a crowd that gradually swelled to fill about 60% of the available seats. The attendance marked an improvement from last year’s event, although many in the city were unaware the tournament was even happening.
Maurice Li, visiting from Vancouver, and Stephanie Kong, a local resident, echoed similar sentiments about the lack of widespread awareness of the event, suggesting that more promotion could have attracted a larger audience. Despite this, they both enjoyed the lively atmosphere, complete with live music and thrilling games.
Basketball enthusiasts like Daniel Wong and his family, however, had heard about the event on Facebook and didn’t want to miss the chance to support it. Wong, a regular basketball player, mentioned the event’s appeal as a family-friendly occasion but pointed out some confusion regarding ticketing. He shared his experience of buying tickets online and the inconvenience of collecting them, suggesting that a simpler digital process would have been more efficient.
On the court, the action was intense as teams from Paris and Princeton fought to secure their places in the Jeddah Finals. Paris aimed to reach the semi-finals to overtake San Juan for the 12th finals spot, while Princeton needed a victory on Sunday to grab the last available spot. They faced formidable opponents in Raudondvaris Hoptrans and Amsterdam, respectively.
The tournament also saw strong performances from Serbian team Ub Huishan NE and Mongolian team Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy, both advancing to the knockout stage with impressive wins. Host team Wu Kai Sha, however, was eliminated despite a win over Podgorica Kodio, finishing last in their group due to the lowest total points scored.
The Fiba 3×3 Hong Kong Masters offered an exciting showcase of 3×3 basketball, blending competitive sports with a festive environment. Fans who attended experienced the thrill of close-knit games and the unique atmosphere of 3×3 basketball, leaving many looking forward to future events and hoping for greater awareness and accessibility in the coming years.
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