SINGAPORE - Japan (men) and Australia (women) were unstoppable on their way to a perfect record on Day 4 of the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2025 on March 29.
TEAMS
JAPAN (men)
A new-look Japan made headlines in a major way in pool play, going 2-0 in spectacular fashion.
They started out against Iran who came off a strong run in the Qualifying Draw. Though a close game for the most part, the talk of the action was Japan’s Ryo Ozawa who broke the single-game 3x3 scoring record. He put up an incredible 20 points in their 21 - 17 victory in the opener.
Their next challenge wouldn’t be as simple though, taking on reigning champs Australia who also medaled at the recent 3x3 Champions Cup. Despite it being a more physical test, there once again was no stopping the mercurial Ozawa, who set his team up every chance he got and shot lights out from deep. He finished with 10 points, leading the improbable win for Japan over the Aussies.
Momentum could not be more in their favor as they head into Quarter-final action tomorrow.
Mongolia also went unbeaten on the day as they would head through to the knockout rounds alongside Australia and Singapore.
AUSTRALIA (women)
Talk about dominance.
The gold standard of the 3x3 Asia Cup showed out in pool play with two sublime victories.
Sporting an offensively loaded side in Miles Goodchild, Annel Maley, Alex Wilson and Marena Whittle, the Aussies handled business against Indonesia with a 21 - 3 win. Maley led them in scoring with 7 points and 8 rebounds.
They faced the Philippines next and went on to power through yet again with Wilson’s 9 points and Whittle’s 8 paving the way for a 21 - 8 victory.
The Gangurrus are primed to add another Asia Cup title to their accolades and the form they showed in pool play is a promising sign towards them retaining the top spot.
They will be joined in the quarter-final rounds by Mongolia, Thailand and the Philippines who did enough today to earn their spot in tomorrow’s action.
PLAYERS
Ryo Ozawa (Japan)
Who else?
In one of the greatest heat checks in memory, the Japanese star made 3x3 history in their opener against Iran with a 20-point showing, a single-record scoring record.
He added another 10 points and a ton of clutch dimes against reigning Champs Australia to lead Japan to a perfect pool finish and momentum like no other.
Ozawa is the player to look out for and if Japan hope to make a push for the trophy, they’ll need him to stay scorching.
Ariuntsetseg Bat-Erdene (Mongolia)
The skilled bucket-getter for Mongolia played a key role in their qualification to the knockout rounds.
Though suffering a loss to Thailand in their closing game, their clinical win against Chinese Taipei in their opener was enough to take them through. The game saw Bat-Erdene go off on a tear, putting up a whopping 13 points along with 8 rebounds.
The monster performance earned Mongolia the win that would take them to the next round of the competition.
QUARTER-FINAL
Men’s
Mongolia v Australia
New Zealand v India
China v Qatar
Japan v Singapore
Women’s
China v Vietnam
Australia v Thailand
Mongolia v Philippines
Japan v Republic of Korea
DAY 5
The 5-day frenzy comes to a close tomorrow as we crown our winners of the 3x3 Asia Cup. Tune in LIVE tomorrow on our YouTube channel to find out who takes home gold.