Host Singapore dream big ahead of FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024

SINGAPORE - Aiming to qualify for the Olympics within a decade, host Singapore are determined to push the continent's best teams and make their country "proud" at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup on March 27-31. 

For the third straight year, Asia's biggest 3x3 event will be held in Singapore with the seventh edition of the tournament staged at the OCBC Square at Singapore Sports Hub, a world famous venue. 

There will be much anticipation on Singapore, who are starting to make a mark in 3x3 after their men’s team last year claimed a historic maiden Asia Cup victory with a 22-20 thrilling OT win against Chinese Taipei in front of a heaving crowd. 

The men's team became hometown heroes and instantly part of the island country's sporting lore before their dream run ended to Asian powerhouse China in the quarter-finals. 

Singapore has a chance to exact revenge against top seed China when the teams square off on March 30 in a Pool A blockbuster. 

It's a similar story for Singapore's women who play former champion China and Chinese Taipei in Pool A. 

Singapore have big aims to become a power on the half-court underlined by the recruitment of former FIBA 3x3 World Tour winner Lazar Rasic as the national team head coach. 

"The sky is the limit for the Singaporean players coming through our ranks," Rasic said. "My goal is to empower the team to realise its full potential. Our long-term aim is performing well at the 2029 SEA Games on home soil and potentially qualifying for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

"I am pleased with the progress made during my short time with the team. The Asia Cup will allow us to test ourselves against the best. We are looking forward to going up against the Chinese teams, and I promise we will put up a strong fight."

Singapore men's captain Kelvin Lim Hong Da said he was "excited" over the prospect of his team backing up last year's heroics. 

"We had a wonderful experience playing in front of the home crowd," he said. "We’re hoping to improve on our performance. We’ve been training hard and fine-tuning some tactics. We hope to make Singapore proud."

The main draw of the Asia Cup will feature 12 teams per gender with Mongolia (men's) and Australia (women's) aiming to successfully defend their titles. 

Australia's all-conquering women's team lit up Singapore last year during an unbeaten campaign, but face an early challenge against rival New Zealand on March 30  in a rematch of last year's final. 

"We are excited to return to Singapore to compete and defend our gold medal from last year," Australia star Anneli Maley said. "This is a really important competition for Australian 3x3 basketball as we look ahead to the 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament."

The qualifying draw will take place on March 27-28 with three-time champion Australia (men's) and 2022 bronze medalist Indonesia (women's) among the teams fighting for coveted spots in the main draw. 

 FIBA