Australia rules Asia again with both men and women retaining FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup crown
- SportPlus News
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
Home team Singapore outdid themselves as the men reached the quarter finals before valiantly being defeated by Japan
Singapore, 30 March 2025 – Once again, the summit of the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup podium was mounted by players donning green and gold as Australia emerged triumphant at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2025, retaining both men and women’s titles on Sunday (30 March) at the OCBC Square, Singapore Sports Hub.
Both were put to the test by their respective opponents but remained composed under pressure to win the double for Australia for the second time as well as each team’s fifth FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup trophy overall.
The Gangurrus also won both Most Valuable Player awards with Alex Wilson representing the women and Dillon Stith the men.
The Singapore men’s team also produced a gutsy display in the quarter-finals against Japan. Powered by an exuberant home crowd, the team comprising veteran Kelvin Lim and tournament debutants Nur Aufa Bin Emil Putra, Haribon Espinosa and Liam Blakney matched the Japanese nearly point for point.
At 17-all and with a semi-final spot on the line, the on-fire Ryo Ozawa sank two game-winning baskets from beyond the arc to the dismay of the Singaporean players and fans.
Over 7,000 spectators enjoyed thrilling 3x3 basketball action across five days at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2025, and basketball fans can expect more exciting 3x3 events in the next two years.
Singapore will host the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in 2027 for the first time, while the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup will return to the Singapore Sports Hub in 2026. The FIBA 3x3 World Cup Qualifier 2026 will also take place at the Singapore Sports Hub. More details on the venue of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2027 will be announced soon.
Australia produce stunning displays throughout knockout stage The men’s side of the tournament culminated with a high-octane battle between Australia and China.
Both teams traded blows, with Alex Higgins-Titsha and Guo Hanyu leading the charge as they both finished the game with 11 points each. The action only got more intense near the end with both sides separated by just a point.
Guo drilled a two to reply to Australia’s go-ahead shot to lead 19-18 before Higgins-Titsha tied things up in the paint. With a two-pointer being a potential decider, both teams attempted tough shots, but it was Australia who would be fouled in their attempt, putting them on the line.
An assessed technical foul gave the Gangurrus 3 free throws, of which they would make the first two to seal their title in Singapore with a hard-fought 21-19 win.
The Australian women secured an incredible three-peat against a crafty Japan with a 21-17 victory in the final.
The Gangurrus utilised their strength and size to their advantage through Marena Whittle and Alex Wilson to take an early lead, but Japan bounced back through a collective effort. Their ball movement and quick scoring posed an obstacle for the Australians, but it did not last long. The ever-consistent Aussies kept applying pressure and regained the lead at the halfway point and never looked back.
Anneli Maley put the finishing touches on what was a dominant masterclass to clinch the gold medal for Australia. In the third-place games, the New Zealand men book-ended their scorching performance from range with another offensive outburst against an equally potent Japan.
A tight game near the end saw both teams finding success from deep, but it eventually went New Zealand’s way after the lights-out Te Tuhi Lewis found Aidan Tonge to win the game 21-18.
On the women’s side, China took care of business against a 3-member squad of the Philippines. Zhou Mengyu and Li Yuyan put up 7 points each in their 21-11 victory to secure their spot on the podium. #FIBA3x3 #3x3AsiaCup
Comments