Mongolia and Australia win FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023

Mongolia (men’s) and Australia (women’s) won the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2023, which took place at the famous Singapore Sports Hub OCBC Square on March 29-April 2.

Mongolia broke three-time defending champions Australia’s 24-game win streak to claim a memorable 21-18 victory in an epic final.

Mongolia held the edge but Australia stormed back to level at 18 apiece before superstar Anand Ariunbold hit a two-pointer for the ages, then nailed the free-throw to secure the triumph.

It was Mongolia’s second triumph after winning at home in 2017 and avenged losses to Australia in finals in 2018 and 2019.

Delgernyam Davaasambuu was named MVP after scoring an equal-high 31 points and was joined in the Team of the Tournament by Australia’s Daniel Johnson and New Zealand’s Tai Wynyard, who finished with 30 points and 29 rebounds in five games.

New Zealand overcame a heart-breaking semi-final defeat to Mongolia to win the bronze medal over China with a convincing 21-13 win.

In the women’s, all-conquering Australia were unstoppable as they capped one of the most dominant runs seen at the event with a comprehensive 21-11 victory over rival New Zealand.

It was the closest any team got to Australia, whose most impressive performance was a 21-6 thrashing against China in a re-match of last year’s final.

Marena Whittle won the MVP after pouring in a leading 43 points from five games and she was joined in the Team of the Tournament by teammate Anneli Maley and New Zealand’s Sharne Pupuke-Robati

Defending champions China settled for bronze after narrowly beating Thailand, who had knocked out No.2 seed Japan in the quarter-finals.

Singapore hosted Asia’s biggest 3×3 event for the second straight year.

The winners of the 2023 edition also earned a ticket to one of the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments for Paris 2024.