The SAR’s men’s basketball team have made history by qualifying for the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup for the first time ever, while their teammates from the women’s team representing Hong Kong, China fell just short of doing the same.
The men’s squad of Chan Wing-hei, Lam Chun-tat, Tsoi Lung-tak and Wong Ho-yin fought their way into the tournament by topping their qualifying group.
They beat Bahrain, Guam and Malaysia in the process, and a one-point loss to Indonesia didn’t stop them from becoming one of twelve teams making the group stage.
It’s the first time the SAR progressed to the main draw in eight tries, since the competition made its debut 12 years ago.
The team will play hosts Singapore on Saturday afternoon and Mongolia at night, as they look to advance further in the competition.
Hong Kong, China’s women’s team would’ve also qualified for the Cup for the first time – but they dropped the final do-or-die game against Chinese Taipei, 17-19.
