Defending champs Australia, and Japan star on Day 3 to reach quarters of FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2022

SINGAPORE - Two-time defending champs Australia (men), and Japan (women) powered through pool play on Day 3 as the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 main draw started with a bang. 

Australia lived up to the hype and easily progressed to the quarter-finals along with New Zealand, Chinese Taipei and Japan. 

In the women's, Japan progressed to the knockout stage and so too Chinese Taipei, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

It means Australia play Chinese Taipei in the quarters, while Japan meet New Zealand. In the women's, Chinese Taipei and Indonesia clash, while Japan and Sri Lanka do battle. 

It's a return of the Asia Cup after a three-year absence and played at the footsteps of the spectacular Marina Bay Sands.  

The Teams

Every time Australia and New Zealand meet in sports, there are fireworks. And this was no exception as the Trans-Tasman rivalry heated up Singapore. 

After the teams traded buckets, Australia took control through Jesse Wagstaff  who was in a hurry to finish it before the time limit as he became a one-man scoring machine. 

The tall and athletic Australia were just getting warmed up as they put the foot down against Qatar to stay on course for a three-peat. 

Everything went perfectly for the Aussies except the coin toss! 

Japan women's team were able to somewhat limit red hot Kimberley Pierre-Louis as they survived a major scare from Indonesia before shutting down Singapore with a defensive masterclass to silence the passionate home fans.  

The Players 

You want a new 3x3 star? Stand up Jesse Wagstaff, who impressed during his 3x3 debut at the FIBA 3x3 Manila Masters and took his game to new a level in his international showcasing. 

The 6ft. 8in (2.03m) bucket-getter took matters into his own hands against rival New Zealand as he was unconscious mixing twos with aggressive drives to the rim. He finished with 14 points to match New Zealand's tally all by himself! 

Wagstaff's incredible haul was remarkably overtaken by a superhuman performance from Kimberley Pierre-Louis, who scored an insane 16 points to lift Indonesia's women past inspired host Singapore  and into the quarter-finals. 

The athletic 6ft. (1.83m) player feasted in the paint and played bully ball against the smaller Singaporeans to finish with 16 points and 9 rebounds to outscore to host on her own. 

There's good reason why her nickname is 'Buckets'. 

The Upset 

Turkmenistan were spectacular in qualification but struggled first up against Chinese Taipei. 

So it was do or die against Sri Lanka and favorite Turkmenistan appeared to be finding their best but couldn't pull ahead.

Sri Lanka kept fighting as scores were deadlocked in the final minute. They found inspiration through Anjalee Ekanayake, who produced a tough layup as Sri Lanka held on and celebrated memorably. 

 Day 4

The Asia Cup continues on Day 4 with men's and women's Pool A and C play.  

Men's

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

Women's

Pool A: Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Thailand
Pool B: Japan, Indonesia, Singapore
Pool C: China, Australia, New Zealand
Pool D: Chinese Taipei, Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka

Watch Day 4 of the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2022 on our YouTube channel. 

FIBA