Australia win double at FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024

SINGAPORE - Australia cemented their status as the region's powerhouse nation after winning both titles at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024 on March 31. 

Australia dominated the half-court at the famous Singapore Sports Hub OCBC to win men's and women's for the second time having achieved the feat in 2019. 

Playing in their fifth straight men's final, Australia reclaimed their crown and won a fourth Asia Cup title overall after a dominant 21-7 victory over Iran.  Australia stifled Iran in a spectacular performance as they pulled away early and never eased up. 

MVP Todd Blanchfield fittingly hit the two-pointer to seal Australia's triumph. 

They had in the semis avenged last year's bitter defeat in the final to Mongolia with a convincing 21-11 win.

Iran's giant-killing run from the qualifying draw ended, but they still clinched their first medal since winning bronze in the tournament's first edition in 2013. 

Defending champions Mongolia had the consolation of a bronze medal after a thrilling 21-18 win over New Zealand.

Superstar Anand Ariunbold, last year's hero, produced a brilliant performance with 15 points and sank two free throws to seal Mongolia's fifth men's medal. 

Joining Blanchfield in the Team of the Tournament was Ariunbold and Ehsan Dalirzahan who led Iran. 

In the women's, all-conquering Australia sealed a title defense with a tough 18-13 victory. Australia held a slim 15-13 lead inside the final minute before MVP Alex Wilson hit a clutch two to effectively end New Zealand's resistance. 

Having blitzed their way to the final, including a 22-9 thrashing of New Zealand in the pool phase, Australia were challenged in a rematch of last year's gold medal game.

Australia were seriously threatened for the first time during their back-to-back title run, but they did enough to add to their triumphs in 2017, 2019 and 2023. 

Wilson was joined in the team of the Tournament by New Zealand's Sharne Pupuke-Robati and  Ariuntsetseg Bat-Erdene from Mongolia. 

Former champions New Zealand had made it through to the final after one-point thrilling victories over Japan and Chinese Taipei earlier in the knockout stage. 

Mongolia won the bronze medal after beating Chinese Taipei 17-10. It was Mongolia's first women's medal at the Asia Cup since 2013 when they claimed silver. 

For the third straight year, Singapore hosted Asia's biggest 3x3 event with the seventh edition running from March 27-31. 

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Exciting, urban and innovative, 3x3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the most thrilling urban sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court. 3x3 made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

For further information about 3x3, visit fiba3x3.basketball, FIBA 3x3 accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Sina Weibo, Tencent, TikTok, Twitter, Youku, YouTube or contact 3x3@fiba.basketball.  

FIBA