Kinmen, Chinese Taipei-Men’s and Women’s final four of 5^th AUC 3x3 was decided on 10^th May at the Kinhu Gymnastic Hall. 8 teams including 4 home teams from TPE now have their chance to win tickets to the FISU University World Cup 2019 in Xiamen.

Top four women’s teams: CCU, IAU, UT, and QNU

Chinese Culture University (CCU) from TPE has been crowned 3-time champions in the past – once for FISU World Cup Champion and twice for the Asian University 3x3 Championship. As expected, they played well this year to win all their pool matches and made in to the semi-finals.

Qinghai Normal University (QNU) was the other team who got a ticket to the semi-final from pool B. Yao-yao Ma said “We don’t have any special height advantage, but all our members have played very hard and concentrated on teamwork so far. With the mentality of learning and improving, we will do our best in the final.’’

Iran’s Islamic Azad University (IAU) from pool A has dominated all the pool matches with 4 wins so far and will be a favorite in the semi-final. “We did a lot of training for this tournament. We are very grateful to pick up some valuable experience throughout the competition,” Kimiya YAZDIAN TEHRANA said.

One of host teams, University of Taipei (UT), fought hard with IAU during the pool stage. IAU has used their height advantage, good communication between their players each other, and very effective tactics to beat UT 8-5 earlier. Nevertheless UT will be ready for their semi-final as the runner-up of pool A.

NCCU, UPH, FJCU, and Mon-Altius are the Men’s Semi-Finalists.

National Chengchi University (NCCU) of TPE and Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) of INA overcame their opponents with hard fought victories by with their speed and athleticism. Both finished as winners in their respective pools.

For NCCU, this is their debut international 3x3 event and has done well to make it to semi-final for the first time. Kuan-I WU mentioned “We will show our best to make my hometown proud!” Coach Stephen Lester METCALFE of UPH (INA) was satisfied with his team’s performance so far. “We don’t have to adjust our game plan but our opponent will need to do that if they want to beat us,” he remarked confidently.

Another two semi-final places went to Mon-Altius Physical Education Institute from Mongolia - who finished as runner-up at the 1st Asian University 3x3 Championship in Shenyang and was the champion for the FISU World Cup 2017 – and TPE’s Fu Jen Catholic University (FJCU) - who is trying to improve their record of participating in championship for the second time.

Shootout contest of Women’s preliminary started at 6.10pm. IAU’s Samaned SABETZADEH shot in six baskets; Fei JUO of Yunnan Normal University (YNNU) made five. As a result, these two athletes qualified for the final.

Who will proceed to the finals and possibly to Xiamen for the FISU World Cup and whose journey will come to an end after this? All will be decided very soon.

The competition schedule for the Semi-Finals on 11th May:

15:00 Women’s semi-final: IAU (IRI) vs QNU (CHN)

15:20 Women’s semi-final: CCU (TPE) vs UT (TPE)

15:40 Men’s semi-final: NCCU (TPE) vs FJCU (TPE)

16:00 Men’s semi-final: UPH (INA) vs Mon-Altius (MGL)

16:20 Shootout contest (Final)

16:40 Women’s 3rd place

17:00 Men’s 3rd place

17:40 Women’s final

18:00 Men’s final

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(Source: AUSF Media Committee and Secretariat)