football scores today

Let me tell you something about 3x3 basketball that most coaches won't admit - this isn't just half-court 5v5 with fewer players. I've played and coached this format for years, and the moment I saw that game where Robbi Marion Darang, Lorenz Capulong and Hubert Cani each contributed exactly 10 points while their team dominated Manila 2-20, I knew exactly what was happening. They'd mastered the rhythm of 3x3 basketball, something most players transitioning from traditional basketball struggle with for months.

The first thing that struck me about that game was the scoring distribution. Three players hitting exactly 10 points each? That's not coincidence - that's strategic execution. In 3x3, you don't have the luxury of hiding weaker offensive players. Every single person on that court must be a scoring threat, or defenses will simply ignore them. I remember coaching a team where we had one player who refused to shoot - defenders would literally stand five feet away from him, effectively double-teaming our best scorer every possession. We lost that tournament miserably. The Risers understood this fundamental truth: in 3x3, if you can't score, you can't play. Period.

What most newcomers don't realize is how drastically the scoring dynamics change. In that Manila game, the winning team scored what would be considered a low total in traditional basketball, yet they dominated. That's because 3x3 operates on a different scoring economy. Every possession matters more, every basket carries greater weight. I always tell my players - we're not playing to 21, we're playing for 21 minutes. The clock is your enemy as much as the opposing team. The Risers understood this, methodically building their lead rather than chasing highlight plays.

The defensive intensity required is something else entirely. Holding a team to just 2 points over an entire game? That's not just good defense - that's systematic destruction. In 3x3, there are no weak-side helpers hiding in the paint. Every defensive rotation must be precise, every closeout must be controlled. I've found that the best defensive teams in 3x3 actually practice footwork more than traditional defensive stances. You need to be able to change direction instantly, because there's nowhere to hide defensive liabilities. When I saw that Manila scoreline, I immediately knew the Risers had perfected their defensive communication and rotations.

Let's talk about conditioning, because this is where most teams fail. The non-stop action of 3x3 demands a different type of fitness than traditional basketball. I've seen countless talented 5v5 players gas out within three minutes of their first 3x3 game. The Risers clearly had their conditioning dialed in - maintaining defensive intensity while efficiently distributing their scoring across all players requires incredible stamina. My rule of thumb? If you can't hold a conversation while running suicides, you're not ready for competitive 3x3. The game's pace is relentless, and there are only four timeouts total - you can't rely on frequent breaks to catch your breath.

The mental aspect might be the most overlooked component. In that dominant performance, what impressed me wasn't just the physical execution but the psychological warfare. When you're up against a team that's struggling like Manila was, the temptation to get sloppy or showboat is immense. The Risers maintained their discipline, sticking to their game plan even when victory was assured. This mental toughness separates good 3x3 teams from great ones. I've lost games we should have won because players took their foot off the gas mentally, thinking the game was over before the final whistle.

Transition offense becomes completely different in 3x3. Without the safety net of multiple defenders back, every missed shot becomes a potential fast break opportunity. The Risers likely capitalized on this repeatedly against Manila. What I teach my teams is to treat every defensive rebound like a quarterback reading a defense - immediately scan for the open man and attack before the defense can set. This doesn't mean forcing bad shots, but rather putting constant pressure on the defense before they can organize. The best 3x3 teams I've seen play with a controlled chaos that's beautiful to watch when executed properly.

Shot selection takes on new importance when every possession counts double. In traditional basketball, you can afford a few bad shots here and there. In 3x3, two consecutive poor shot choices can swing a four-point momentum - that's nearly 20% of the points needed to win! The balanced scoring from Darang, Capulong, and Cani suggests they were taking high-percentage shots within their offensive flow rather than forcing contested attempts. This is something I drill into my players constantly - we're not looking for good shots, we're hunting great shots. The math of 3x3 rewards efficiency far more than volume shooting.

What most players transitioning from 5v5 struggle with is the physicality. The smaller court means more contact is generally allowed, and you need to learn to play through it without expecting foul calls on every possession. The Risers clearly understood how to use their bodies effectively within the flow of the game. I always tell my bigger players - establish position early and maintain it, because there's less space to operate and less time to recover if you get sealed out of a play.

The chemistry required for successful 3x3 play cannot be overstated. When three players all score exactly 10 points, that speaks to incredible unselfishness and court awareness. They're reading each other's movements, understanding spacing without verbal communication, and making the extra pass even when they have a decent look themselves. This level of synergy typically takes months to develop, though some teams naturally click faster than others. I've found that the best 3x3 teams often have played together for years across multiple formats, developing almost telepathic understanding of each other's tendencies.

Ultimately, what the Risers demonstrated in that dominant performance was mastery of 3x3 as its own distinct sport rather than just a variation of basketball. The scoring distribution, defensive intensity, and game management all pointed to a team that had embraced the unique demands of the format. For players looking to improve their 3x3 game quickly, my advice is simple - stop thinking like a 5v5 player. Embrace the pace, accept the physicality, and understand that every possession carries weight far beyond what the scoreboard shows. The teams that grasp these principles are the ones you'll see holding up trophies while their opponents wonder what just happened.