Gold medalists team Shanghai and their coach react during the awarding ceremony for men's 3x3 basketball at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
MACAO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The 3x3 basketball competitions of the 15th National Games concluded here on Saturday, with Shanghai winning the men's title and Shandong taking the women's gold on the final day of action.
The lawn at the Wynn Palace was packed as four highly anticipated semifinals opened the afternoon session. Basketball stars including Shandong women's U18 standout Zhang Ziyu and WCBA Sichuan veteran Elizabeth Cambage were spotted in the stands.
Shandong and Hubei advanced to the women's final after defeating Sichuan and Zhejiang, respectively. In the men's semifinals, Shanghai overcame Fujian, which featured former Chinese national team center Wang Zhelin, while Shandong beat Hubei to set up the title clash.
Wang Lili's trademark mid-range shot opened the scoring for Shandong in the women's final, while Yang Hengyu dominated in the paint as Shandong quickly built a lead through inside-out points.
Hubei attempted to stay close with Chen Yujie's two-point shooting, but Wang was unstoppable as she found her rhythm from beyond the arc. Yang then scored back-to-back baskets, sealing Shandong's 21-12 victory.
After the buzzer, Wang, who described herself as a "very quiet person," stretched out her arms to invite even louder cheers, leaping in celebration at center court despite a thick brace wrapped around her left knee.
"My ACL was torn again in the 2022-23 season, and the rehab process has taken years," said the 33-year-old after defending her personal National Games 3x3 basketball titles following the 2021 edition held in Shaanxi.
"My knee condition didn't really improve until this October. So yes, I'm very emotional." Wang said, "At my age, winning like this is a huge affirmation. As I always say, age is not a problem - if you love the game and stay committed, you can make it happen."
In the men's final, Shanghai's Ma Diancheng electrified the crowd with two early dunks, helping his side take a 9-2 lead. Shandong later found their shooting touch and closed the gap to two with 2.9 seconds left after regaining possession through a challenge.
Trailing by two, Chen Peidong's potential game-tying two-pointer narrowly missed, and Shanghai held on for the title with a 20-18 win.
Based on overall win-loss records and average points across the tournament, Hubei and Sichuan secured the men's and women's bronze medals, respectively. ■
Gold medalists team Shandong, silver medalists team Hubei and bronze medalists team Sichuan pose with their coaches during the awarding ceremony for women's 3x3 basketball at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
Guo Hanyu (R) of Shanghai drives the ball during the final match of men's 3x3 basketball between Shanghai and Shandong at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Yan Peng (L) of Shanghai goes for a layup during the final match of men's 3x3 basketball between Shanghai and Shandong at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
Zhu Boyuan (R) of Shanghai shoots during the final match of men's 3x3 basketball between Shanghai and Shandong at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Gold medalists team Shanghai, silver medalists team Shandong and bronze medalists team Hubei pose with their coaches during the awarding ceremony for men's 3x3 basketball at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Zhang Yang (L) of Shandong goes for a layup during the final match of men's 3x3 basketball between Shanghai and Shandong at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
Zhang Wei of Shandong vies with Guo Hanyu (L) and Yan Peng (R) of Shanghai during the final match of men's 3x3 basketball between Shanghai and Shandong at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Yan Peng (L) of Shanghai drives the ball during the final match of men's 3x3 basketball between Shanghai and Shandong at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
Ma Diancheng of Shanghai dunks during the final match of men's 3x3 basketball between Shanghai and Shandong at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Chen Yujie (L) of Hubei vies with Cao Junwei of Shandong during the final match of women's 3x3 basketball between Hubei and Shandong at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
Gold medalists team Shandong and their coach wave to spectators during the awarding ceremony for women's 3x3 basketball at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
Li Wenxia (L) of Shandong vies with Zhou Mengyun (2nd L) of Hubei during the final match of women's 3x3 basketball between Hubei and Shandong at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
Yang Hengyu of Shandong goes for a layup during the final match of women's 3x3 basketball between Hubei and Shandong at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Wang Lili (L) of Shandong shoots during the final match of women's 3x3 basketball between Hubei and Shandong at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
Cao Junwei (2nd L) of Shandong competes during the final match of women's 3x3 basketball between Hubei and Shandong at China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
