The Australia Gangurrus have won gold in both men’s and women’s 3x3 Asia Cup draws, defending their 2024 titles in the process.
The women’s 3x3 side started the tournament 2-0, beating Indonesia (21-3) and the Philippines (21-8) to make the quarterfinals.
The Gangurrus won against Thailand (21-13) and China in the semi’s (21-15) on their way to the final where Japan awaited them.
Led by Marena Whittle (9 points), Australia’s play down in the post would be too much for Japan to handle as they would win their third Asia Cup title in a row (21-17)
Olympian Alex Wilson (34 points) claimed her second Asia Cup Most Valuable Player award after an all-round scoring display. Whittle (33 points) and Anneli Maley (24 points) added to Wilson’s presence inside while Meila Sowah (14 points) cut through the opposing team’s defence.
The men’s team had a mixed start to the tournament. Taking down Iran in their first game (18-11) but falling short to a sharp shooting Japanese outfit to close the group stage (16-21).
They would find themselves with a tough road to the final but would take down Mongolia (21-7) and New Zealand (21-19) in the knockout stages to reach the championship game.
In a high-intensity encounter, the Gangurrus would come home with gold beating China in the final (21-19).
Alex Higgins-Titsha would have his best game of the tournament with 11 points, including a huge poster dunk. But it would be Dillon Stith who closed the game, knocking down a free throw to clinch back-to-back Asia Cups for the men.
Stith (31 points) was named Most Valuable Player in the men’s draw after dominant performances in the post alongside Higgins-Titsha (31 points). While Jonah Antonio (21 points) and Lachlan Barker (15 points) got to work on the perimeter.
The Gangurrus now turn their focus to the 3x3 World Cup in June.
