WhatsApp Image 2023-03-17 at 6.23.44 PMTeamSG's Jonathan Ng. Photo Credit : Bluewind's Photography

 

The FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2023 is currently underway in Singapore at the OCBC Square (next to Kallang Wave Mall). From 29 March - 2 April, the Singapore Sports Hub's hosting the 6th edition of the most important 3x3 competition for national teams in Asia and Oceania.

Over the 5-day competition last July in Singapore, the event attracted more than 4,000 spectators with an estimated digital outreach of 35 million. And following the Republic's successful staging of the 3X3 Asia Cup, FIBA awarded Singapore the hosting rights for 3 more years (till 2025). The competing players are selected by their national federations to represent their countries.

Meanwhile, ActiveSG Circle caught up recently with Team Singapore, which is sending cagers to compete in the Men's and Women's divisions respectively. 

WhatsApp Image 2023-03-16 at 8.01.11 AM (1)TeamSG's Tan Choy Ting (black top). Photo Credit : Kenneth Chua

 

Tan Choy Ting (Women's 3x3 Squad)

Q : How does it feel to feature in FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2023?
Choy Ting :
This is my first time playing FIBA 3x3 Asia, previously I've represented Singapore for FIBA Asia 5v5 in 2011 and 2017. I’m super excited as 3x3 is more intensive and requires 100% for 10 minutes. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be called back to represent Singapore for the upcoming event.

Q : How long have you been training for this international event?
Choy Ting :
We've been training for 3-4 months from strength and conditioning and court training, we trained 5 times a week.

Q : What is your pre-game ritual (if any)?
Choy Ting :
Listening to some upbeat music

WhatsApp Image 2023-03-16 at 8.01.10 AMTeamSG's Tan Choy Ting attempts to score. Photo Credit : Kenneth Chua

 

Q : Do you have a favourite snack/drink just before a game?
Choy Ting :
Gummy bears and energy drink

Q : Your favourite go-to song/artist you listen to before a game?
Choy Ting : "Now or never" from High School Musical (movie)

Q : Your favourite basketball player?
Choy Ting :
Ricky Rubio

Q : Fav Basketball Move/Manoeuvre in your personal gameplay?
Choy Ting :
Driving in and turn around jumpshot

338831740_963700644987168_3448769725607806446_nSingapore's Women's Squad at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2023. Image Credit : Basketball Association of Singapore

 

Q : Can you describe your team chemistry?
Choy Ting :  I would say, it’s not too bad as all of us have known one another as opponents or as team-mates before forming this squad. There’s definitely more to work on, I like how we respect each other's views and trust one another in executing the play or defence discussed.

Q : What are you hoping to achieve from this FIBA campaign?
Choy Ting : I
 hope to show Singapore Women’s basketball to people watching and prove that we are capable to compete internationally.

320608071_1858516671164446_608509442531461570_nTeamSG's Jonathan Ng (red kit). Photo Credit : Kenneth Chua

 

Jonathan Ng (Men's 3x3 Squad)               

Q : How does it feel to feature in FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2023?    
Jonathan : I
feel extremely anxious and excited at the same since it’s my first time officially representing team Singapore. But I'm ready to face challenges and give my all for this event.        

Q : How long have you been training for this international event?            
Jonathan : I've
been prepping for 4 months for this event with 5 times training a week and inclusive of some local competitions(3x3 competitions)        

Q : What is your pre-game ritual (if any)?
Jonathan :
My Pre-game rituals are watching highlights of some 3x3 games    

Q : Do you have a favourite snack/drink just before a game?
Jonathan :
Drinking RedBull (No sugar) and eat sweet stuff                     

Q : Your favourite go-to song/artist you listen to before a game?
Jonathan :
My favourite go-to artists are 21savage and Drake. And fav songs will be both their collaborations and their individual album.                  

Q : Your favourite basketball player?
Jonathan :
Kobe Bryant

Q : Fav Basketball Move/Manoeuvre in your personal gameplay?
Jonathan :
Jumping for rebounds and backdoor cuts      

338153369_1222939568337455_7889204079621836496_nSingapore's Men's Squad at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2023. Image Credit : Basketball Association of Singapore

 

Q : Can you describe your team chemistry?
Jonathan :
Over the course of our
 training sessions together, our chemistry improved each and every time.

Q : What are you hoping to achieve from this FIBA campaign?
Jonathan : I’m hoping to achieve at least top 3 for this competition, leave with no regrets and always work hard and fight hard for every possession.

Schedules for both Men's & Women's matches : 
31st March 2023
Women's
4.05PM SGP vs Chinese Taipei
7.30PM SGP vs Japan

1st April 2023
Men's
4.30PM SGP vs Chinese Taipei
7.55PM SGP vs Mongolia

_K4_5284Australia, Men's Champions of FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2022 in Singapore. Photo Credit : FIBA

 

3-time defending Men's Champions Australia, will take to the OCBC Square on Sat 1 April, for their opening matches in the Singapore event. The Aussies have won 15 straight Asia Cup games since 2017 and will be eyeing a stunning 4th straight title triumph. They'll however face stiff competition from the No.1 seed Mongolia, the Philippines and the New Zealanders.

Australia's skipper, Daniel Johnson said, "I’m excited to be returning to Singapore again this year. It was a great experience in 2022 and it’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a while. We have 2 of our team returning with myself and Andrew Steel. We've added 2 new players and are looking forward to building our chemistry as a group throughout the tournament".

10thJuly Australia vs New Zealand-4426Australia (in green) vs New Zealand in FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2022 in Singapore. Photo Credit : FIBA

 

Daniel Johnson also said, "I think we are lucky in Australia to have a large pool of quality players and we have great direction from our coach. It’s been a changing group over the years, but we want to continue that past success with this current group. The fans can expect a team that plays hard and executes well. We have a group that can all shoot and switch defensively so we hope to put all those skills on display. We hopefully, will get some consistency and chemistry with each other and take some form with us into the Worlds in May."

The FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup is happening from 29 March - 2 April. You can catch the games LIVE on MeWATCH here.