Punjab Steelers and Kochi Stars to represent India at FIBA Asia 3x3 Quest Final in Maldives

Less than two weeks after wrapping up victories at the 3x3 National Championship in Bengaluru, the two top teams from India - Punjab Steelers (Men) and Kochi Stars (Women) - now land in Male, Maldives, to take on the top 3x3 sides in the continent. The 2019 FIBA Asia 3x3 Quest Final will be held in Male from September 6-8, and the Indian sides will have an opportunity to qualify for the world 3x3 championship next month if they triumph in this event.

A number of star Indian players, including Amjyot Singh, Amritpal Singh, Geethu Anna Rahul, and more are at this event. Both the Steelers and the Star are seeded at 7th place in their respective groups.

Rosters

• Punjab Steelers: Amjyot Singh, Amritpal Singh, Arshpreet Singh Bhullar, Rajvir Singh Aujla.
• Kochi Stars: Geethu Anna Rahul, Smruthi Radhakrishnan, Surya PR, Sonumol Soman.

India's Groups - sourced via NBA India.

• Men: Punjab Steelers (India), Taipei Bears (Chinese Taipei), Arkhangai (Mongolia), Askar (Brunei).
• Women: Kochi Stars (India), Top Star (China), Maafannu (Maldives).

On paper, India is sending teams that should perform well in their groups. Featuring talents like Amjyot and Amritpal, India's Men should be favourites to make it out of their pool as toppers. The women's squad will probably face a big challenge against China's Top Star, but the return to action of national legend Geethu Anna Rahul should help the team's chances.

The champions of these finals in Maldives will book their place in the Elite 3x3 World Tour Masters in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) from October 18-19.

2019 FIBA 3x3 National Championship: Kochi Stars (Women) and Punjab Steelers (Men) triumph in Bengaluru

Last week, the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) conducted the 2019 FIBA 3x3 National Championship in Bengaluru, pitting together some of the nation's top 3x3 basketball squads in both men and women's categories in an event that also served as the FIBA Asia Quest 3x3 Qualifiers. The event was held in the outdoor courts of Bengaluru's Sree Kanteerava Stadium from August 22-24 featuring 17 men's and 12 women's squads.

At the finals on Saturday, August 24, Kochi Stars (Women) and Punjab Steelers (Men) triumphed to win the gold and secure their appearance in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Quest 2019 Finals.

Kochi Stars featured former international and Arjuna Awardee Geethu Anna Rahul - recently unretired - along with Smruthi Radhakrishnan, Surya, and Sonumol Soman. They defeated Maratha Yodhas in the women's final, 21-13.

In the men's final, Punjab Steelers defeated hosted Bengaluru Bulls. The star-studded Punjab squad featured some of India's top current players, including Amritpal Singh, Amjyot Singh, Arshpreet Singh Bhullar and Rajvir Singh Aujla.

Cochin Customs (Men) and Delhi Warrior (Women) each finished at third place.

The winners in both categories were awarded a cash prize of Rs. 75,000/-. The runners-up received Rs. 50,000/- and third-placers returned home with Rs. 25,000/- each.

The champions in both the sections - Punjab Steelers and Kochi Stars - will represent India at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Quest 2019 Final to be played in Male (Maldives) from Sept 6-8, 2019.

India win 5th consecutive SABA Championship in Maldives; qualify for 2017 FIBA Asia Cup

We came. We saw. We conquered. And we qualified.

Photo credit:  Basketball Federation of India

With four resounding victories in four games, India's Senior Men's national basketball team won their fifth consecutive title at the South Asian Basketball Association (SABA) Basketball Championship, held in Male, Maldives, from May 19-23. The victory qualified India for the real test ahead: the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup - the biggest basketball competition in Asia - in August.

Led by head coach Sappaniambalam Baskar, captained by Akilan Pari, and under the leadership of star players Amritpal Singh and Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, India sent a squad with a strong mix of youth and experience to Maldives last week. The big stars, as they have done so often in recent years, delivered for the team in comfortable wins over neighbouring South Asian nations.

India's campaign began in style against the hosts Maldives, rushing off to a 22-3 lead in the first quarter and keeping their foot on the accelerator throughout the game to double their opponents' score in the 84-42 win. Amritpal Singh, India's starting center and one of the best big men in Asia, posted a game high 25 points to go with 8 rebounds.

Photo credit:  Basketball Federation of India

Amritpal was on fire in Game 2 a couple of days later against arguably the second-strongest team in South Asia, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka gave India their closest competition in the tournament, but a double digit halftime lead ensured that India were still in complete command of things. Amritpal had 28 points and 16 rebounds while star guard Vishesh Bhriguvanshi added 26 with 10 assists to beat the Lankans 88-61. Thammitage Perera had 18 in a losing effort for the Sri Lanka.

India's most impressive win was a day later against Bangladesh, who were defeated by a resounding 71 points. India was incredible from the start, starting with a 36-9 advantage in the first quarter and never looking back. Amritpal once again led all scorers with 22 to help India win 142-71, doubling their opponents' scoreline once again. The duo of Kumar Biswas Mithun (25) and Khan Md. Shamsuzzaman (22) put up a valiant fight for Bangladesh in the loss.

There were no let-ups in India's final contest against Nepal on the last day of the tournament on Tuesday. Unlike the previous three games, India relied more on their backcourt this time around, and were led by Bhriguvanshi (22) and Anil Kumar BK (16). India held a 45-12 halftime lead and cruised their way to a 90-44 victory.

Photo credit:  Basketball Federation of India

The victory gave India a perfect 4-0 record in the round-robin tournament and top spot in the SABA zone once again. For his dominant performances, Amritpal Singh was named MVP of the championship.

India now have about two and a half months to prepare for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, set to be held in Lebanon from August 8-20. The team will be hoping that a few more big names, like Amjyot Singh, Palpreet Singh, and Satnam Singh can be in the mix and perhaps give us our deepest roster ever.

Team India is in Maldives for 2017 SABA Basketball Championship hoping for 5th consecutive title

The South Asian Basketball Association (SABA) championship has been held four times, once every two years. India has won the title four times.

This week, India's Senior Men's national basketball squad is in Male, Maldives, to try and make it a perfect five for five.

Team India headed to Maldives for the 5th SABA Basketball Championship from May 19-23 to take part in the five-team tournament. The winner of this championship will qualify for the lone South Asian spot in the continent's most prestigious basketball event, the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, set to be held in Lebanon in August. The participants in this year's events are India, hosts Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. As can be gleaned from past SABA editions, the Indian men’s team, with a blend of youth and experience, will start off yet again as strong favourites.

India’s attempt at a five-peat of the tournament will be led by experienced point guard Akilan Pari. Also featured in the squad are centre Amritpal Singh, guard Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and veteran forward Yadwinder Singh, the trio who recently took part in the NBL Draft Combine in Australia. Other familiar faces are centre Rikin Pethani, forward Prasanna Venkatesh, shooting guard Arjun Singh, centre Ravi Bhardwaj and forward Anil Kumar BK. Missing from the squad are a few notable big names that we hope will return to the team if India qualifies for the FIBA Asia Cup, including Amjyot Singh, Palpreet Singh, and Satnam Singh.

Photo via: Basketball Federation of India

Team India at 2017 SABA Basketball Championship

• Akilan Pari - Captain
• Muin Bek Hafeez
• Prasanna Sivakumar
• Anil Kumar Gowda
• Arjun Singh
• Vishesh Bhriguvanshi
• Amritpal Singh
• Vishal Kumar Gupta
• Ravi Bhardwaj
• Jeevanatham Pandi
• Yadwinder Singh
• Head Coach: Sappaniambalam Baskar
• Assistant Coach: Sebastian Padipurakkal Joseph
• Manager: Sushil Kumar

"Our motto as a team is to win big and make sure that the juniors of our team get playing time," said Pari, the team's captain. "This championship is important for them to get good exposure and will be crucial in their development as players."

India’s training camp for the tournament was held from 1st-17th May, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi with 33 players, and the final selections were made on 7th May. A conscious effort was made by the selectors and Head Coach Baskar Sappaniambalam to ensure that the right blend of youth and experience was picked for their campaign in Maldives. "India has had a solid record at the SABA Championship and we aim to continue that trend," Sappaniambalam said. "It is the only tournament where we can provide an opportunity to our younger players and hence we have selected 3 players under the age of 22. Our main aim is to win and qualify for the FIBA Asia Cup taking place in Lebanon in August."

India's Schedule at the 2017 SABA Championship

• May 19: India vs. Maldives
• May 21: Sri Lanka vs. India
• May 22: India vs. Bangladesh
• May 23: Nepal vs. India