SINGAPORE: Mar 29, 8AM – Sri Lanka basketball staged a remarkable comeback to secure their spot in the Main Draw of the FIBA 3X3 Asia Cup at the Singapore Sports Hub on Thursday. Facing off against Korea in their third match of the Qualifying Draw, Sri Lanka fought tooth and nail to claim a hard-fought victory with a final score of 21-19.
Trailing behind 0-6 in the opening minutes, Sri Lanka battled relentlessly, matching Korea basket for basket. With the score tied at 19-all, Sri Lanka’s cagers demonstrated exceptional composure and skill, clinching a sensational triumph in the ongoing tournament.
This comeback victory marks a historic moment for Sri Lanka basketball, as they remain undefeated and advance to the second round of an international tournament for the first time in their history.
Led by standout performances from Rukshan Atapattu of the University of Moratuwa and teammates Dasun Mendis, Pawan Gamage and Simron Yoganathan, Sri Lanka displayed their dominance on the court, effortlessly outplaying their opponents. Despite Korea’s physical style of play, Sri Lanka maintained their composure and utilized their speed to secure the win.
Notably, Sri Lanka displayed consistent scoring prowess throughout the Qualifying Draw, achieving a full margin of 21 points in each of their three games. Meanwhile, regional powerhouse India suffered an early exit from the tournament.
In the group stage, Sri Lanka faced off against formidable opponents including Northern Mariana Islands, Indonesia, and Korea, emerging victorious against all three teams.
Looking ahead, Sri Lanka is set to take on Mongolia and Thailand in the second round. With the opportunity to secure a quarter-final berth with a single win, Sri Lanka is poised to continue their impressive run in the FIBA 3X3 Asia Cup, inspiring basketball enthusiasts across the nation.
