SINGAPORE - Sri Lanka (men's) were spectacular, while India (women's) produced a gutsy effort on day two to reach the main draw of the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024. 

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

The seventh edition of Asia's biggest event is being played at the famous Singapore Sports Hub OCBC Square. It is the third consecutive year that the Asia Cup is being held in Singapore. 

THE TEAMS

In the men's, Sri Lanka booked their spot after producing a thrilling comeback victory over Republic of Korea. Sri Lanka started slowly and trailed 9-1 before storming back into the contest. 

It came down to the wire with Kande Mendis hitting the game-winning bucket to send Sri Lanka into the main draw. 

There was much anticipation over the blockbuster between India and Malaysia, who were both unbeaten on the opening day. 

But an energetic Malaysia quickly made it a one-sided contest as they produced an outstanding performance filled with slick passing and hot shooting from deep. 

Malaysia raced out of the blocks to lead 8-1 and they never eased up to clinch a 21-9 victory in a game that lasted just over six minutes in playing time. 

Lee Jia Jun and Ting Chun Hong, the MVP of the Malaysian Basketball League, scored 10 apiece in an ominous sign for their opponents in the main draw. 

The victory clinched Malaysia a berth into Pool D of the main draw, while it was a bitter disappointment for India who had impressed on the opening day. 

Australia and Iran also qualified. 

In the women's, India faced adversity after losing Kavya Singla to injury in their 18-12 victory over Hong Kong. India were without a sub against Indonesia, but it didn't matter as they mustered resiliency in a 20-13 win. 

Pushpa Senthil Kumar stepped up with 9 points in both games. 

The Philippines qualified with a convincing 21-12 victory over Kazakhstan, whose campaign ended after recording two victories on the opening day.

Iran also went through after beating Republic of Korea 14-11 in a do-or-die game in the night session. 

 THE PLAYERS

Rukshan Athapaththu had a monster game against Korea and scored 13 points in a heroic performance to cap Sri Lanka's unbeaten campaign in the Qualifying Draw. 

He wasn't the only one to fill the stats sheet on day two with Camille Clarin scoring a game-high 9 points for the Philippines. She showed off her fancy footwork much to the delight of her loud compatriots in the bleachers. 

THE DUNK

In his first major 3x3 event, Will Hickey showed off his incredible athleticism during the qualifying draw.

The 25-year-old has quickly stamped himself as a defensive expert with a number of emphatic rejections, but against Kazakhstan he produced a jaw-dropping offensive play with the best dunk of day two. 

After pump faking Amanzhan Mukhidenov, he stormed to the rim and threw down a one-handed jam as Hickey continues to make a name for himself. 

 Day 3

The main draw of the Asia Cup starts on an action-packed Day 3. 

Men's

Pool A: China, Singapore, Iran
Pool B: Mongolia, Thailand, Sri Lanka
Pool C: Japan, Philippines, Australia 
Pool D: New Zealand, Qatar, Malaysia

Women's

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

Watch Day 3 of the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024 on our YouTube channel.

FIBA