FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Tokyo: Canada vs. Romania

Next podium is Canada Chi, Canada Beijing, Closer Tojo is Chi, Canada Sensojin, Chi Romania, Tojo Number 3, Andri Next is number 9 Next is number 6 Bianca Maria, Futa Last is number 23 Tojo is Chi, Romania the quarterfinal bracket started to take shape here as the two teams that came into the main draw from the qualifying draw stage have been eliminated already and Romania under pressure they lost earlier on to Mitsubishi electric 5 to 14 and they have a tough opponent in Canada Canada with a winning percentage of 83 83 15 wins three losses for the season they come in as a number two seed and one of the major favorites here at this Tokyo stop we last saw them in Vienna where unfortunately they finished seventh but listen at the three other stops where Canada was present they got all the way to the championship game that was in Marseille and then in Shanghai they took everything then at Portier they lost in the finals so they come back in the women's series season number eight place so if the final was to start today they certainly would have qualified but I'm sure that they want to be in a much more favorable position and that's why we are seeing them come out and get some of those valuable ranking points back in action here for Canada we saw a very cute picture of the team with her daughter on her social media page that's FIBA3X3W on Instagram head over there you want to check out some great behind the scenes content and get to know a little bit more about these players off the court let their personalities shine through a little bit Portier to start gets it to Forta back into Podart Romania undersized forced to shoot Mititelu couldn't get that one going Cassandra Brown gets it back has the space for the shot misses everything and in case you thought that her shot attempt was too deep nope that's very much within her range she's not always a headline scorer but her spacing and decision making are vital for Canada's system and she is very well able to knock down those deep twos Forta now poking probate can get it off on time to shot clock violation Russell feeds Cassandra Brown backdoor cut Canada who will draw first blood and the steal from Russell steps out of bounds she's been such a great athletic addition to this Canada squad new member to the squad but rose very very fast will help Canada win AmeriCup silver in 2025 photo from downtown that will go Brown to clear she wants it back in the post the upholding foul on Andrea Breda hand off to Croson Croson behind the back left-handed lay she's fouled on her way to the rack she'll shoot a free throw gets the two-point lead for Canada against Romania Podart wraparound pass can't find Mititelu she was locked up Croson's defense blue she's so quick off the dribble gets Canada three points Canada we know them as a team that is regularly the top three for holding their opponents to the fewest teams the fewest points in a game while regularly also winning games in the shortest amount of time let's see if they can continue that trend here in Tokyo right now the lead by three Cassandra Brown wide open at the cup Podart gets the space from the elbow rattles it in as a tough take from Podart beautiful finish from a Cassandra Brown give goes can't get it to fall Catherine Poo keeps it alive right now it's a four-point lead for Canada Podart no go Russell creates space look at the rebound and the putback once again for Paige Croson the two-way queen that's a tough take from Fota Fota quietly great for Romania she is ranked number eight nationally but I find her to be a very effective player for Romania in the women's series oh right time she's robbed foul on Freda who had been locked down sealed out of contention by Marissa Russell we got our first TV time out here Canada they've got a six-point lead Catherine Poo now putting on her coach's hat she's a 3x3 specialist and I'm very intentional with that word she is a specialist since 2019 used to dominate dominate the 3x3 floor with her sister twin sister identical twin at that and twin since has retired so Catherine will carry on the blue flag for team Canada till the wheels fall off Paige Croson is Canada nine points Podart now on the attack Ploof got a handle on the ball as Cassandra Brown checks back in Brown at 34 years old still very effective for Canada standing at 6'2 and is a key contributor for team white Russell to Brown Ploof up top gets it over to Russell Russell turns the corner beats Freda gets the foul call on the floor and earns herself a seat and a breather Canada still rocking with a seven-point lead here 6'12 on the clock Brown Fota was right there gets the steal what a bounce pass to Podart Podart up over the hands of Cassandra Brown that's a strong take from Romania and then Paige Croson gives him no time to celebrate drains the two Podart on the revenge mission she gets that one to go Romania within reach five points Croson bounce pass to Catherine Ploof and this is where Canada start to get very dangerous not only are they tough but once they get in rhythm they become extremely difficult not just to beat but just to stick with Ploof showing off the range showing off the versatility of the squad Canada up 14 to 6 it's a gun show Fota hits the deuce right back at you Canada and with five minutes and five seconds on the clock it's back-to-back two balls from both sides Fota going to town Ploof showing off the range you love to see it Croson at the weight trying to find a clue to tell you stuck with her good save from Podart the offensive foul has been called on Mititelu but anytime Podart keeps the Wilson in her hands for more than two seconds in a standing position from beyond the arc that's where things start getting tricky for Romania even without that call would have been a tough ask for them to convert as the shot clock was almost out Podart from way downtown that one won't go Preda with the offensive board no look pass to Mititelu all the way to the rack Romania sticking around six points between them and Canada and they are allowing their defense to really work for them another steal for Romania making sure that Canada does not get comfortable again Romania anytime they get consecutive defensive stops their confidence grows quickly and that's what's happening right now you can see them having the confidence to attempt the deep shots and to take it into the cup as well but at the left wing doesn't get it off on time it's a shot clock violation we take our second tv time out again not a lot of stoppage time in this game we are slowing right by six point Canada 15 to nine frozen beads brown brown almost throwing the Wilson right into the arms of Podart there with numbers Romania trying to thread the needle stopped up Canada with another opportunity to score frozen automatic she does that in her sleep splash ball is good and Paige Croson sends Canada to 18 points it's a nine point lead for the white and red and they need just one more of those from Croson to put this game to bed Russell the back door cut tough take you head to the free throw line and shoot two first free throw is missed again 317 on the clock Canada missed both free throws and the attempt from Croson underneath the rim wouldn't go either Marissa Russell wide open for the finish they just need one possession to call a game photo trying to give Romania some hope it's blocked by frozen the kick out floof gets it back in nice easy lay lay Canada one point away 246 on the clock Podart trying to shake off Catherine floof rolls it in Croson catch shoots misses Russell chases it down she's got a wide open look for the win that won't go either and floof trying to throw it off for his body don't think she quite was able to do that so Romania will check ball up top they are gassed can't blame them Mititelu at the elbow gets it off to Podart shoots looks like Russell might have got a piece of that frustration in her face she might have thought she was fouled as well shot clock violation Canada will get the ball up top with 215 on the game clock momentum experience and straight up talent on their side just a matter of time figuring out who's going to get the winning bucket here it will be none other than Marissa Russell new to this true to this first time this season in the FIBA 3x3 women's series right in the Canadian basketball system like a missing puzzle piece that's the final score up your screens Canada 21 Romania 10 and unfortunately Romania will join Takasaki and Singapore as teams that will not advance to the next stage we got more action on the way marquee matchup Nefji Sokar from Azerbaijan taking on USA United States under pressure must win game or it would be the end of the road hang on tight folks we'll bring you that action in just a moment