New Zealand dominate on day two as FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2023 main draw is set

SINGAPORE - New Zealand were spectacular on day two as their men's and women's teams stormed into the main draw of the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2023

The final places were determined to end the two-day qualification phase. 

In the men's, New Zealand were joined by Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei and Iran. 

In the women's, Australia qualified after recording a 17-5 victory over Korea. Having only conceded two points from two games on day one, Australia were challenged early before running away with their third convincing victory of qualification. 

New Zealand also qualified after four straight wins, while India replaced Qatar in the main draw having won three of four games. 

The sixth edition of Asia's biggest event is being played at the famous Singapore Sports Hub OCBC Square, which is hosting the Asia Cup for the first time.  

THE TEAMS 

New Zealand and Korea loomed as a blockbuster game in the men's but the Tall Blacks proved why they are considered gold medal contenders. 

Last year's silver medallists overpowered the smaller-sized Korea, who enjoyed loud crowd support with many fans cheering eagerly for their hero Heo Hoon. 

But a powerful New Zealand spoiled the party with a convincing 21-13 win. 

New Zealand then easily defeated Turkmenistan 21-10 to continue their momentum ahead of the main draw. 

New Zealand's women were just as impressive with a 21-5 thrashing of Sri Lanka before taking down Hong Kong 19-9. 

THE PLAYERS 

Tai Wynyard and Dominique Kelman-Poto played bully ball in the qualification. They made the paint their personal playground to combine for 31 of New Zealand's 42 points on day two. 

Towering Esra McGoldrick was a two-way force as she scored 15 points in the two games on day two and also proved a menace with her D to lead New Zealand's charge. 

THE UPSET

Sri Lanka (men's) may not have progressed but can feel good about their tournament having beaten Tahiti and Chinese Taipei. 

Their only loss was in OT against Indonesia but they almost progressed after beating Chinese Taipei 16-14 in a day two thriller. 

Pawan Gamage made it storm at the Singapore Sports Hub with 19 points across three games, but Sri Lanka fell agonizingly two points short overall of Chinese Taipei, who made it through. 

Day 3

The main draw of the Asia Cup starts on an action-packed Day 3 with men's and women's Pool B and D play.  

Men's

Pool A: Mongolia, Chinese Taipei, Singapore
Pool B: Japan, Australia, New Zealand 
Pool C: China, India, Kazakhstan 
Pool D: Philippines, Qatar, Iran

Women's

Pool A: China, Iran, Philippines, 
Pool B: Japan, Chinese Taipei, Singapore
Pool C: Mongolia, Malaysia, New Zealand 
Pool D: Thailand, India, Australia 

Watch Day 3 of the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2023 on our YouTube channel.  

 

 

FIBA 

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