A cartoon-like event occurred. Hangzhou (China), which fought in 3x3 basketball with three people, became the champion of the Hongcheon Challenger 2025.
'NH Nonghyup Bank FIBA 3x3 Hongcheon Challenger 2025' grandly kicked off on the 9th at Hongcheon Comprehensive Gymnasium. This tournament, hosted by the Korea 3x3 Basketball Federation (KXO), Hongcheon County, the Hongcheon County Council, and the Hongcheon County Sports Council, was held for the first time in the country for three consecutive years.
In the finals held on the 10th, Hangzhou (China) defeated Raudonvaris (Lithuania) 21-17 to kiss the winner's trophy. Hangzhou made a remarkable achievement by winning the championship with just three players after the dismissal of Goran Vidovic in the quarterfinals.
Philipp Kaludrovich, who scored 8 points including the winning shot in the finals, was named the tournament MVP. After the game, Kaludrovich noted, "I cannot express in words how it feels to win. The feeling of winning with three people is truly special. I approached the new season with new players. It wasn't entirely new since we had won with three people in a finals match in Japan before," he said with a smile.
Dismissed Vidovic played an active role in the finals support squad. Kaludrovich said, "The teammate who was dismissed kept saying sorry. He must have felt sorry for not being able to help the team. The remaining three players banded together and played hard. We are all happy now that we won," he expressed joy.
The experience in Korea became an unforgettable memory. He stated, "I tried to pour everything on the court. Even though we were one player short, I believed we could win if we played harder. I didn't care how tired I was. The good memories in Korea are the ones we are celebrating now. Where I spend the prize money is a secret," he smiled.
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