Women aim for 3x3 podium

KUALA LUMPUR: Now that 3x3 basketball is an official part of the Olympic programme, the sport's popularity is poised to reach unprecedented heights.

Having made its debut at the 2018 Indonesia Asian Games, 3x3 basketball is now set to be a mainstay, and stirring excitement at the Hangzhou Games this month.

Malaysia will contest both categories once again, with all eyes on the women's team, who are currently ranked No. 4 in Asia.

Five years ago, Malaysia narrowly missed the quarter-finals after a heartbreaking 15-13 loss to Thailand.

Now, the team of Tan Sin Jie, Tan Yin Jie, Sammi Tan, and Foo Suet Ying aim to make up for that disappointment on behalf of their predecessors.

Malaysia have a chance to redeem their loss to Thailand right from the outset, having been drawn together with them in Pool D alongside South Korea and the Maldives.

While the group winners earn direct entry into the quarter-finals, the teams finishing second and third will compete in the repechage.

In the men's division, newcomers Lee Jia Jun, De Wee Yiang, Lai Kok Weng, and Lim Wan Seong will spearhead the nation's challenge.

They find themselves in Pool C, facing defending champions China, as well as India and Macau.

During the Asiad in Indonesia, Malaysia couldn't break through the group stage and finished 13th overall.

The 3x3 events will take place at the Deqing Geographic Information Park Basketball Court from Sept 25 to Oct 1. Hosts China are expected to dominate in both categories, as they did in the previous edition.