In the intense arena, the rhythm of the game mirrored the beating of a heart: one team scores, then the other responds in kind. Time seemed to accelerate, mirroring the frantic pace of the players as they dashed across the court. With each passing moment, the tension mounted, and the endgame drew near.
As the clock ticked relentlessly towards its conclusion, both teams found themselves on the brink of victory or defeat. The scoreboard reflected a narrow margin, with one team edging ahead by a single point. In that breathless moment, the opposing team's captain seized control of the ball with grace and poise. With a swift pass to his teammate, they clinched victory, defeating the formidable 9th-ranked giants of the Republic of Korea by 21 to 19.
The victors were none other than Team Sri Lanka. Led by the indomitable spirit of Captain Pawan Gamage, and supported by the talents of Dasun Nilantha, Simron Yoganathan, and Rukshan Atapattu, they emerged triumphant in Group B of the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup, securing their spot in the preliminary rounds with the final 12 teams.
The 7th FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup is a fast-paced and dynamic game format that has gained immense popularity in recent years, offering an exciting platform for nations to compete and showcase their prowess. Last year, the men’s champions were Mongolia and the women’s champions were Australia, who secured three consecutive wins in the Men’s category. This year, 43 teams from 24 countries from Asia and Oceania participating to conquer the championship.
In FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup Qualifiers, Sri Lanka emerged as a dominant force, stunning fans and critics alike with their remarkable performance. The team made history by defeating Indonesia 21-14 in their first match, marking their first-ever victory against an Indonesian team. They continued their winning streak by securing a 21-13 win against the Northern Mariana Islands, with Rukshan as the top scorer in both matches. In a thrilling encounter against the Republic of Korea, Rukshan Athapaththu's standout performance, scoring 13 points, was pivotal in securing the spot of Group B champions.
Rukshan Athapatttu, an outstanding undergraduate at the University of Moratuwa, started his basketball journey at a very young age and became the youngest vice-captain of the Sri Lankan national basketball team. He was also present during the introduction of 3x3 basketball at the Commonwealth Games for Sri Lanka. He showed his skills by majority scoring in all matches and gave us an example of a successful all-rounder.
Let's remain hopeful that the Sri Lankan team will bring home the championship trophy, especially with upcoming matches against previous champions Mongolia and Team Thailand on the horizon. Following their impressive victories, congratulations were extended to Team Sri Lanka for their outstanding performance and resilience on the court.
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