Wangbao 3x3 Professional Basketball Team Misses Top 8 in Opening Tournament

(Central News Agency reporter Li Jianzhong, Taipei, April 25) The Taipei Yongfeng Wangbao 3x3 Professional Basketball Team today welcomed the opening event of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour in Utsunomiya, Japan. Although they passed the test of two qualifying matches, they unfortunately lost both preliminary matches and failed to advance to the final top 8.

The 'FIBA 3x3 World Tour', organized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) as a tour, has seen Utsunomiya, Japan, serve as the opening event since 2022. Although the Wangbao 3x3 Professional Basketball Team did not have a high enough ranking this time, they were invited to participate due to their active promotion of 3x3 basketball, hoping to gain valuable experience.

The Wangbao team is composed of 3x3 masters such as Petar Ivanovic from Montenegro, Nikola Kovacevic from Serbia, and Leonardo Branquinho from Brazil, competing alongside Wang Hsin-Wei, who is ranked No. 1 in domestic 3x3 points, and other top players from around the world.

The Wangbao team defeated Japan's Hiratsuka team 20-16 in the qualifying round, and then went on to beat Tokyo Shinagawa team 21-12, advancing to the preliminary round as the group leader. Unfortunately, in the preliminary stage, Wangbao faced strong opponents such as Serbia and Lithuania, and although they took the lead at the beginning of the games, they ultimately suffered reversals and defeats.

After the game, Wang Hsin-Wei told the media, 'We learn from failure, and I believe we can do better. Next time, we will definitely be in the top 8!'

He revealed that he had only practiced with his other three teammates for about 3 or 4 days, expressing confidence that they will play better and better as the season progresses and practice time increases. (Editor: Hsieh Yachu) 1150425