3BL Women: Delhi Divas crowned Champions of Season 2
3BL Women League saw Delhi Divas, led by former Indian team captain Raspreet Sidhu, beat Kochi Stars 17-14 in the finals
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Chandigarh, 21st March 2022: Indian national team player Raspreet Sidhu-led Delhi Divas have been crowned champions in the '3BL Women' division. ‘3BL’, the only 3X3 Professional Basketball League in India is backed by the Basketball Federation of India and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). Sidhu was named Most Valuable Player (MVP). The third season of 3BL 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.
3BL Women: Delhi & Kochi face off in the finals again
The two favourites in the '3BL Women' competition – defending champions Kochi Stars (starring 6ft 1’’ Indian team centre Stephy Nixon) and Delhi Divas (helmed by former Indian team captain Raspreet Sidhu) – faced off in the finals as expected.
Coming into the finale Round 6, these teams (Delhi – 3; Kochi – 2) had won all five preliminary round titles between them.
The Kochi-Delhi rivalry has been the key storyline in the Women’s League so far, with their head-to-head results locked at 3-3.
The finals expectedly saw a clash of contrasting styles, with Stars reliant on controlling the paint through Nixon, while Divas showcased their all-round game led by a pestering defence. After a scrappy first few minutes, the decisive moment came with the scores tied at 7-7. Delhi wrested control of the pace of the game, succeeding in forcing Kochi into playing a faster tempo. In the process Delhi built up a four point 11-7 lead which they never relinquished, for a hard fought 17-14 victory.
“3BL is what India needs,” Raspreet Sidhu
For her overall performance, Sidhu was named the Most Valuable Player of the finals.
“I have no words. It is such an emotional moment. Last two years have been tough on all of us, but it was toughest for me….[because] I think I was giving up. To be a leader, it’s not easy, but to be believed a leader by your team is the most difficult thing, and I think they [my teammates] are my leaders,” an emotional Sidhu said after receiving the MVP award. “On behalf of all the players here from the Women’s League, I take the opportunity to thank [3BL Commissioner] Mr Rohit Bakshi & Ms Prerna Sharma Bakshi [3BL Director] to give all the young girls a platform. This [3BL] is what India needs. We need a stage to showcase our talent.”
“We have six teams now [in the Women’s League], we will have twelve teams in the next season,” Ms Prerna Sharma, 3BL Director, highlighted during the post game ceremony.
3BL Women’s Champion team to participate in Asian 3x3 Tournament
By virtue of being the 3BL Women’s League Champion team, Delhi Divas has been selected represent India in the first-ever ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) 3x3 Cup 2022 to be held in Bali, Indonesia on 16-17 April. The ABL 3x3 Cup is classified as a FIBA ‘Lite Quest’ competition that in turn serves as a qualifying tournament for a FIBA ‘Challenger’ event.
Finale Round 6 {Women’s League} Results
Finals
Delhi Divas bt Kochi Stars 17-14
Semifinals
Kochi Stars bt Jaipur Regals 21-13
Delhi Divas bt Ludhiana Queens 22-14
All results, team lists, pools and schedule can be accessed on the FIBA 3x3 website.
About 3x3 Pro Basketball League (‘3BL’) Season 3
3BL is India’s only Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) backed 3x3 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 3x3’s international circuit such as Challengers and World Tours.