Powerhouses Ub and Liman to clash in Day One blockbuster at FIBA 3x3 Macau Masters 2023 presented by Wynn

MACAU - Unstoppable Ub Huishan NE (SRB) will be aiming for their fourth straight title on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2023 at the first-ever Macau Masters on July 8-9. 

The spectacular Serbs continued their red-hot start to the season with victory in Marseille, but head into world-famous Macau without legendary Dejan Majstorovic.

But the No.1 seeds have a decent replacement in big fella YuXuan Liu, who was a key part of their triumph in Manila. 

Ub will have an immediate challenge in Pool A against rivals Liman Huishan NE (SRB) led by in-form sniper Stefan Kojic.

Keep an out for rising Chinese player Ning Zhang, who has been a scoring machine recently. 

The teams have had many epic contests over the years as they renew one of 3x3's best rivalries. 

Dusseldorf LFDY (GER) looms as a dark horse with young gun Niklas Kropp a 3x3 unicorn. 

Pool B will be highlighted by a blockbuster between No.2 seeds Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) and newcomers Miami (USA), who make their World Tour debut. 

There will be a lot of interest in these much-hyped Americans, especially former NBA player Jimmer Fredette who brought 'Jimmer Mania' to the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023 where he led USA to the silver medal. 

The lethal Lithuanians will provide a stiff early test and we just can't wait to see dunking machine Modestas Kumpys try to posterize athletic beast Kareem Maddox. 

Pool C will see Futian (CHN) back in action after recruits Thibaut Vervoort and Dimeo van der Horst powered the emerging Chinese team to a runners-up finish in Manila. 

Riga (LAT) will be looking to improve on their quarter-final performance from Manila and are also in Pool C alongside Toronto KBA (CAN), who are making their World Tour season debut. 

We can't wait for the return of Beijing (CHN), who have lived up to the hype with consistently strong performances on the pro circuit from their new superheroes - Karlis Lasmanis and Nauris Miezis.

They fell to Ub in the semis in Manila, but you just know this loaded Beijing team will be better second up.

The No.4 seeds will face an early challenge in Pool D against Marseille (FRA), who impressed at the home event to make the quarter-finals. 

Dynamic 22-year-old Lorenzo Thirouard-Samson showed glimpses of his huge talent and make sure you watch him go toe-to-toe with Lasmanis. 

The third team in Pool D will emerge from the qualifying draw, which will be contested between Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL),  Doha Expo (QAT) and Pasig TNT (PHI). 

FIBA