Mumbai Heroes clinch 3BL Men’s Conference A Round 2 Title
Carlos Martinez was the star of the show for the Mumbai team.
Spanish 3×3 specialist Carlos Martinez proved his caliber, leading Mumbai Heroes to an impressive Men’s Conference ‘A’ Round 2 title. ‘3BL’, the only 3X3 Professional Basketball League in India is backed by the Basketball Federation of India and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The third season is being played at the Wyndham Hotel, Mohali from 8th – 21st March 2022 and is seeing participation from top national and international men’s and women’s 3X3 basketball players.
Mumbai Heroes ‘upset’ Gurugram Masters 20-17
Despite losing to Gurugram Masters in the initial pool stages, Mumbai Heroes elevated their play in the finals to clinch their first Round title. In an exciting neck-and-neck encounter, the scores were tied 10-10 and 14-14 before Mumbai grabbed the lead with two minutes remaining.
Mumbai Heroes captain Carlos Martinez from Spain, was inspirational down the stretch. Whether knocking down outside shots, getting crucial steals or making contested layups, Martinez was unstoppable when it mattered the most.
He was well supported by Indian national team point guard Siddhant Shinde, who made a tough jumpshot to take Heroes’ lead up to 18-14, with 1:15 mins remaining.
Thereafter the defending champions Masters came fighting back to within 1 point. However, missed shots for Masters proved costly, as Heroes held on for a memorable win.
“We are not the best in anything, but we are the best team. This is only Round 2, watch out!” Martinez said after the finals.
Hometown Chandigarh team reaches semifinals
Earlier, under the leadership of Indian national team player Prashant Rawat, Chandigarh Beasts topped the pool stages to storm through to the knockout rounds of the 3BL. “I really feel excited about this League. It is a new format for us. We have been playing 5 on 5, now we are into 3×3. So it is like a fast game from offense to defence and defence to offense.
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I am very confident with the team now because we have a great rotation,” Rawat, the 6ft 8’’ 21-year-old forward, said after progressing to the final four.
In the semifinals though, Chandigarh would be thoroughly outplayed by Mumbai Heroes, losing 8-21.
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