Aussie dominance continues at FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup

Both Australian representative teams are set to tackle the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup finals after dominating each of their respective pools.

Australia’s men – who feature Illawarra Hawks stars Todd Blanchfield and William Hickey – qualified for the pools after sweeping past Tahiti, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan in the qualifying draw.

They took on third-seeded Japan in the first of two pool games, and 13 combined points from Hawks pair Hickey and Blanchfield guided Australia to a 20-13 win.

Blanchfield then took the lead in the second and final pool game against the Philippines, and scored 13 of Australia’s 20 points to secure qualification to the quarter-finals.

Their next game will come against China.

Unlike the men, Australia’s women’s side did not need to endure the qualifying draw to take their place at the tournament, and opened their campaign against New Zealand.

The reigning champions put in a dominant display against their trans-Tasman rivals to run out as 22-9 victors. Their second victory came in a 21-7 win over India.

Australia then played Thailand in the quarter-finals, and a 21-8 win means they will next clash with Mongolia in the semis.