Dubai:Dubai advanced to the quarter-finals of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Dubai 2026 after a narrow victory over China's DeQing with a score of 20-19 on Friday. The intense match took place at Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City, marking a significant achievement for the host team.
According to Emirates News Agency, Dubai initially surged ahead with a 6-0 lead, which they expanded to 11-5. However, DeQing fought back to level the score at 13-13 and even took the lead at 15-13. Despite the challenge, Dubai managed to clinch a one-point victory.
Dubai is set to face Croatia's Cibona Ph.Classic on Saturday, the final day of the two-day tournament. The event, organized by the Dubai Sports Council in collaboration with the UAE Basketball Association and under the supervision of FIBA, features 14 teams and is being held in Dubai for the first time. The 2026 World Tour season is scheduled to conclude in Rio de Janeiro on December 12th-13th.
The tournament has seen top performances from Germany's Baskets Bonn, Croatia's Cibona Ph.Classic, the Netherlands' Amsterdam RABOBANK, and Serbia's Liman, each leading their respective pools. Other teams advancing include Lausanne, Ub, Skyliners, and Dubai.
Eisa Sharif Al Marzouqi, Director of Sports Events at the Dubai Sports Council, emphasized that hosting the tournament promotes 3x3 basketball and increases its popularity among clubs, academies, and the broader community. Salem Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of the UAE Basketball Association, highlighted that the event would expand participation and provide new opportunities for players beyond the traditional five-a-side format.
Dubai's coach, Dušan Bulut, noted that the tournament and its community activities are likely to attract more players and that the involvement of an Emirati player could serve as inspiration for local talent to pursue international competition.
