The Sri Lanka men’s 3X3 basketball team started their campaign with a bang, securing two impressive victories on the opening day of the FIBA 3X3 Asia Cup qualifying round matches held at Singapore Sports Hub yesterday.
The Sri Lankan squad, consisting of Ruskshan Atapattu, Pawan Gamage, Nilantha Mendis, and Simron Yoganathan from Jaffna, displayed stellar performances to outplay Indonesia and Northern Mariana Islands in back to back matches.
In the morning clash, the Lankan cagers overcame Indonesia with a scoreline of 21-14, displaying dominant performances on the court. They continued their winning streak in the evening encounter, defeating Northern Mariana Islands by a score of 21-13. With these consecutive triumphs, Sri Lanka has secured a promising position in the tournament.
Simron Yoganathan, hailing from Jaffna, emerged as a standout player for Sri Lanka, delivering outstanding performances in both games, contributing significantly to his team’s success.
The five-day competition, featuring 43 teams representing over 20 nations across Asia, promises intense basketball action. In their next challenge, Sri Lanka is set to face Korea in the third game of the qualifying round, scheduled for today.
The Sri Lankan team, fueled by their early victories, is determined to continue their winning momentum and make their mark in the qualifying rounds as they vie for a coveted spot in the main event.
Sajeewa Jayakody