 at the OCBC Square.In two closely-contested finals, the Australian women beat a spirited Japanese side 21-17, before their male counterparts snatched a 21-19 win against China.Over 7,000 spectators enjoyed thrilling 3x3 basketball action across five days at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2025, and basketball fans can expect more exciting 3x3 events in the next two years. Singapore will host the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in 2027 for the first time, while the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup will return to the Singapore Sports Hub in 2026. The FIBA 3x3 World Cup Qualifier 2026 will also take place at the Singapore Sports Hub. More details on the venue of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2027 will be announced soon.){kind=link}
SINGAPORE, 30 MARCH 2025 – Once again, the summit of the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup podium was mounted by players donning green and gold as Australia emerged triumphant at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2025, retaining both men and women’s titles on Sunday (30 March) at the OCBC Square.
Both were put to the test by their respective opponents but remained composed under pressure to win the double for Australia for the second time as well as each team’s fifth FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup trophy overall. The Gangurrus also won both Most Valuable Player awards with Alex Wilson representing the women and Dillon Stith the men.
The Singapore men’s team also produced a gutsy display in the quarter-finals against Japan. Powered by an exuberant home crowd, the team comprising veteran Kelvin Lim and tournament debutants Nur Aufa Bin Emil Putra, Haribon Espinosa and Liam Blakney matched the Japanese nearly point for point. At 17-all and with a semi-final spot on the line, the on-fire Ryo Ozawa sank two game-winning baskets from beyond the arc to the dismay of the Singaporean players and fans.
Over 7,000 spectators enjoyed thrilling 3×3 basketball action across five days at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2025, and basketball fans can expect more exciting 3×3 events in the next two years. Singapore will host the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in 2027 for the first time, while the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup will return to the Singapore Sports Hub in 2026. The FIBA 3×3 World Cup Qualifier 2026 will also take place at the Singapore Sports Hub. More details on the venue of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2027 will be announced soon.
Australia produce stunning displays throughout knockout stage
The men’s side of the tournament culminated with a high-octane battle between Australia and China. Both teams traded blows, with Alex Higgins-Titsha and Guo Hanyu leading the charge as they both finished the game with 11 points each. The action only got more intense near the end with both sides separated by just a point.
Guo drilled a two to reply to Australia’s go-ahead shot to lead 19-18 before Higgins-Titsha tied things up in the paint. With a two-pointer being a potential decider, both teams attempted tough shots, but it was Australia who would be fouled in their attempt, putting them on the line. An assessed technical foul gave the Gangurrus 3 free throws, of which they would make the first two to seal their title in Singapore with a hard-fought 21-19 win.
The Australian women secured an incredible three-peat against a crafty Japan with a 21-17 victory in the final. The Gangurrus utilised their strength and size to their advantage through Marena Whittle and Alex Wilson to take an early lead, but Japan bounced back through a collective effort. Their ball movement and quick scoring posed an obstacle for the Australians, but it did not last long. The ever-consistent Aussies kept applying pressure and regained the lead at the halfway point and never looked back.
Anneli Maley put the finishing touches on what was a dominant masterclass to clinch the gold medal for Australia.
In the third-place games, the New Zealand men book-ended their scorching performance from range with another offensive outburst against an equally potent Japan. A tight game near the end saw both teams finding success from deep, but it eventually went New Zealand’s way after the lights-out Te Tuhi Lewis found Aidan Tonge to win the game 21-18.
On the women’s side, China took care of business against a 3-member squad of the Philippines. Zhou Mengyu and Li Yuyan put up 7 points each in their 21-11 victory to secure their spot on the podium.
The final standings are as follows –
Australia’s Dillon Stith and Alex Wilson crowned MVPs
Australia’s Dillon Stith was an absolute force in the paint for the Aussies. He locked down defensively and battled in the paint on every possession. He came in clutch for the team on numerous occasions, most notably in the semi-final against New Zealand with his 13 points and 2 clutch shots to seal the game.
He would take home MVP honours and lead the Men’s team of the tournament alongside New Zealand’s Te Tuhi Lewis whose scorching shooting led them to silver and Japan’s Ryo Ozawa who delivered history making performances in Japan’s journey to Bronze.
For the women, Alex Wilson (Australia) was versatile as ever, leading her side in scoring with 34 points throughout the tournament. Her effort on both ends of the floor took the Aussies a step above the competition in their three-peat run.
She took home the MVP award and helmed the women’s team of the tournament alongside Japan’s Fuyuko Takahashi, who led the women’s competition in scoring with 39 points and played a huge role in her team’s run to silver, and Mengyun Zhou who was the offensive powerhouse for bronze medallists China.
QUOTES
Lazar Rasic, Head Coach of the Singapore Men’s Team
“First of all, I would like to thank everyone who came down today to support us. The support was amazing and this is something we will definitely hold close to us. The season just started and we have the SEA Games at the end of the year. We need to remember the support we had today as we prepare for these upcoming competitions. The guys did everything they could. They followed the game plan but unfortunately, during the last few minutes, the game was not in our favour. During competitions like this, it is when you realise these crucial moments on how to use fouls and how to attack are very important. That is something, overtime we will try to improve with time. Nonetheless, I am very proud of them. They gave their all and they fought 150%. Overall, (it was) a good game for us and a good experience. We will grow from this experience and next year, come with the same energy and hopefully go further.”
Kelvin Lim, Singapore Men’s Team
“I’m proud of the team. We hustled to the very end and honestly, it was the first FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup for these three guys with me so I’m really proud of them because they played bravely and courageously. With coach Lazar Rasic here, you can see the difference in the team – the way we move, the way we run the plays, the way we have easy baskets. Today we almost had the game, it was really close but it was just that in some situations, the team lacked experience and most of them (the Japanese team) are professional players so in terms of experience we are (lacking). Through (our) three games (this year), we found out that what we work on shows (on the court) so we need to tidy up on some details.”
Fatoumanana Nishi, Japan Women’s Team
“Mentally, we were ready, but in the first few minutes of the game, we couldn’t get the rhythm going so that set the tone. We were getting in the rhythm after the first minute with a rebound and all that, so that was a good recovery. I’ve learnt that step by step, day by day, we’re getting better so that was a good point of the competition.”
Alex Wilson, Australia Women’s Team
“It’s hard to put into words right now, obviously (winning) was the goal coming in here. It’s just super special (to win), we have such a great bond with (coach) Damon (Lowery) and the rest of the girls, so it’s a super special moment. We wanted to keep them off the 2-point line as much as we could and we did a pretty good job defending that for the most part, but we know they’re super quick. They’re the opposite of us; we’re long and try to post up but they’re quick and shoot a lot of twos so it was a battle of two different styles.”
Anneli Maley, Australia Women’s Team
“This was a really good tournament. I’m really excited. I really enjoyed the show that Singapore put on. It’s a great city, great country, and today was a really tough day. So I’m really happy that we walked away with the championship. There were a couple of moments that we were sweating a little bit, but we got better from it.”
Guo Hanyu, China Men’s Team
“We really enjoyed the games here as this is the highest level of competition for 3×3 in Asia. We made it a point to focus on the present moment and do our best for each match. We are very pleased with our result here and we want to thank the fans for being so supportive of us and for making us feel so welcome.”
Dillon Stith, Australia Men’s Team
“I feel very proud. I’m very proud of the squad; I’m proud of the men’s and women’s team, all the staff and coaches. It was a big effort. We came to Singapore and we ran it back. When we lost to Japan – they played an awesome game – it made our three games today a lot tougher. (Before) facing Mongolia early on, we reviewed our film after the Japan game that night and re-evaluated, changed a little bit of strategy and came in confident today so we’re happy. I would say the most defining chapter was the loss against Japan. We had a late-night film session. We usually have film in the morning where we study what happened but after the Japan game, we stayed up as a team, we all went to the coach’s hotel room, put the film on the TV and we all had to be honest with each other and address our weaknesses, strengths and had to sleep on it. We woke up in the morning fresh and we were ready to go so Japan beating us was our defining moment.
“It’s the fifth one for the country and we’re all proud because it’s the first time we get to win the championship (for the men’s team) so we’re happy to be a part of that legacy and we just want to keep going. The mindset (we had in the final) is that you’ve got to give it everything that you’ve got – you’re tired, China’s tired. It’s been a long week and it’s going to come down to some hustle plays so we just have to keep fighting and trust each other. I loved it (here). It was amazing, Singapore is beautiful. The whole venue, the set-up, everything was amazing. For my first experience, I feel very fortunate to play in it; fortunate to even win a game, let alone championship MVP.”
About FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2025
The FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2025 is the eighth edition of the tournament, and it will be the fourth consecutive year that Singapore hosts the international event. In 2022, after a successful debut event hosted in the city-state, FIBA and Sport Singapore agreed on a three-year partnership for Singapore to host the tournament (2023, 2024 and 2025). The event is organised by Kallang Alive Sport Management, supported by partners Sport Singapore and Basketball Association of Singapore, and sponsored by AirAsia (Official
Airline) and PARKROYAL on Beach Road (Official Hotel). Exciting, urban and innovative, 3×3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court.
About Sport Singapore
As the national sports agency, Sport Singapore’s core purpose is to inspire the Singapore spirit and transform Singapore through sport. Through innovative, fun and meaningful sporting experiences, our mission is to reach out and serve communities across Singapore with passion and pride. With Vision 2030 – Singapore’s sports master plan, our mandate goes beyond winning medals. Sport Singapore uses sport to create greater sporting opportunities and access, more inclusivity and integration as well as broader development of capabilities. Sport Singapore works with a vast network of public-private-people sector partners for individuals to live better through sport.