The highly-anticipated FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024 tipped off yesterday in front of big crowds at the OCBC Square.
SINGAPORE, 27 MARCH 2024 – Three-time men’s champions Australia submitted powerful performances, while the Philippines women's team also impressed to move a step closer to qualifying for the main draw of the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024.
Qualification is being fought out on the first two days of the event, which runs from March 27-31. The four pool winners from the men's event and the three pool winners from the women's category will qualify for the main draw starting on March 29.
The seventh edition of Asia's biggest event has already heated up the OCBC Square at the world-famous Singapore Sports Hub, which is hosting the Asia Cup for the third straight year.
THE TEAMS
The Philippines are hoping for their first Asia Cup medal - men's or women's. But their women's team will have to do it the hard way - through qualification and they were sluggish early against Tahiti.
The Philippines did click into gear and finished strongly to pull away with a convincing 21-3 victory.
Their momentum continued against Maldives as they attached the rim in a fast start. They were forced to fend off a spirited Maldives side before putting their foot down to win 19-11.
With two wins in two matches, the Philippines have set up a day two blockbuster against Kazakhstan, who are also unbeaten.
In the men's event, powerhouses Australia made a strong start with a 21-5 thrashing of Tahiti. It's a new-look Australia with only sharpshooter Todd Blanchfield returning from last year's silver medal winning team.
Newcomer Will Hickey showed off his defensive prowess to raise Australia's intensity as they also easily defeated Kyrgyzstan 21-6 to cap a perfect start.
India have never won a medal in the men's category but made a statement with comprehensive victories over Maldives and Macau. Princepal Singh dominated the paint, while young gun Sahaij Sekhon tapped into his bag of tricks to give India a good chance of reaching the quarter-finals. But they will first have to get past Malaysia, who currently sit atop Pool D, in their final match tomorrow.
“Actually it’s not easy, we still have to win one more game to get through the qualifiers so we have to be locked in for tomorrow’s game against India. Most of my teammates are younger than me, so I have to give them a bit more guidance on court because it’s a new team. India is tall, we need to get the balls over them and give them a tough fight. It’ll be a 50-50 chance,” shared Ting Chun Hong of Malaysia.
THE PLAYERS
Blanchfield left off from his outstanding 3x3 debut at last year's event with an incredible 15 points against Tahiti. He was on fire with five splashes from deep as he finished with a total of 19 points on Day One.
Jhazmin Joson made a spectacular start for the Philippines and found her range against Tahiti. She was unstoppable and hit four two-pointers in a 10-point masterpiece.
Joson didn't have the shooter's touch in the next game, but showed off her fancy skills with a terrific lay-up in traffic to shut the door on a fightback from Maldives.
THE SHOT
After losing their first game to Sri Lanka, the Indonesian men faced a tough task against the Republic of Korea who won their opener against the Northern Mariana Islands.
But Korea were reduced to three men and played without a sub in the oppressive humidity. Even though they were gassed, Korea fought hard in a nerve-jangling game to force the game into overtime.
With ice in his veins, Erick Ibrahim Junior put the game to bed with a banked two to spark scenes of celebration from the Indonesian players.