Stephy Nixon led Kochi Stars clinch Round 2 of 3×3 Pro Basketball League (3BL)
Defending champions Kochi Stars beat Pune Panthers 19-15 in the finals to win 3BL Women’s League Round 2
India player Stephy Nixon named Most Valuable Player (MVP)
Padma Shri Anitha Pauldurai and Smruthi Radhakrishnan, Indian women’s national team stars, seen in action for the first time
Watch 3BL live on Sony LIV and 3BL Youtube Channel
Chandigarh, 11th March 2022: Defending champions Kochi Stars opened their account in 3BL Women’s League, winning their first ‘Round’ title. ‘3BL’, the only 3X3 Professional Basketball League in India is backed by the Basketball Federation of India and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The third season is being played at the Hotel Wyndham Chandigarh Mohali from 8th – 21st March 2022 and is seeing participation from top national and international men’s and women’s 3X3 basketball players.
Kochi Stars win Round 2 Title
Under the leadership of Indian national team centre Stephy Nixon, Kochi Stars survived a stiff challenge from Pune Panthers. The Panthers were willed to the finals by its young Maharashtrian star Durga Dharmadhikari.
However, in the title game, it was Nixon who stamped her class. The much-taller Nixon was unstoppable in the paint. From the get go, Kochi Stars built up a sizeable 14-7 lead. Nixon was well-assisted by guard Divyani Gangwal’s outside shooting and tough layups.
Panthers were kept afloat by the tireless Dharmadhikari who was all over the floor despite the searing afternoon heat. Her long two-pointers cut down Kochi’s lead to within four, but in the end, it was a comfortable 19-15 victory for the team from down south.
“I was extra motivated since [our teammate] Ari (first foreign player in 3BL Women’s League) is out. We just wanted to play our best and give it our all. I’ve met so many new players and you learn something new from each one,” said Panthers’ Dharmadhikari.
Indian Women’s Team Stars in action
Multiple Indian national team players (Geethu Anna Rahul – Coimbatore Spunkies; Raspreet Sidhu – Delhi Divas; Stephy Nixon – Kochi Stars and Anmolpreet Kaur – Ludhiana Queens) went head to head presenting intriguing match-ups.
India seniors Anitha Pauldurai, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2021, and Smruthi Radhakrishnan made their season debuts for Jaipur Regals and Pune Panthers respectively.
Nixon & Sidhu’s Rivalry Continues
Earlier in the semifinals, Nixon had come through for Kochi to beat Raspreet Sidhu’s Delhi Divas in an exciting 17-15 overtime game.
This was the second overtime game between the two teams. In the pool stages of Round 1, Kochi Stars had similarly prevailed. However, later in the same round, the two teams had met again in the finals. In this re-match Delhi Divas exacted revenge to be crowned Round 1 champions.
Round 2 {Women’s League} Results
| Finals |
| Kochi Stars bt Pune Panthers 19-15 |
| Semifinals |
| Kochi Stars bt Delhi Divas 17-15 (Overtime)Pune Panthers bt Coimbatore Spunkies 21-10 |
| League Rounds | |
| Pool APune Panthers bt Jaipur Regals 21-14Delhi Divas bt Pune Panthers 20-13Delhi Divas bt Jaipur Regals 21-13 | Pool BKochi Stars bt Ludhiana Queens 15-13Coimbatore Spunkies bt Ludhiana Queens 16-13Coimbatore Spunkies bt Kochi Stars 14-12 |
ll results, team lists, pools and schedule can be accessed on the FIBA 3×3 website.
About 3×3 Pro Basketball League (‘3BL’) Season 3
3BL is India’s only Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) backed3x3 Pro Basketball League. The third season of the League is underway in Chandigarh, between 8-21 March 2022, and will take place over six two-day rounds.
Besides the chance to win each round, top teams also get the exclusive opportunity to compete at FIBA 3×3’s international circuit such as Challengers and World Tours.
‘3BL’ is an intellectual property of YKBK Enterprise Pvt. Ltd, under the leadership of Mr Rohit Bakshi (who is also the League Commissioner) and Mrs Prerna Sharma (3BL Director).
More information at www.3x3bl.com
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About 3×3 Basketball
Akin to the T20 version of cricket, 3×3 basketball is one of the fastest growing urban sports in the world.
Compared to traditional 5×5:
- 3×3 needs only a half-court and six players.
- It’s a 10-minute game.
- Highest score in 10 minutes or first team to score 21 points wins.
- Three-pointers are awarded two points, and two-pointers are awarded 1 point.
3×3 is not only FIBA’s second official discipline but was played for the first time at the Tokyo 2021Olympics, and will also be included in the Commonwealth Games – Birmingham 2022, Asian Games 2022 and the Paris 2024 Olympics.
FIBA 3×3 Video for more details: FIBA 3×3
