A selection of Polynesian basketball players are currently in Singapore to participate in the 3×3 Asian Basketball Cup. The competition takes place from March 27 to 31… And before their departure, we attended one of their intensive training sessions.
5:30 a.m. Monday March 18, dribbling echoes in the Aorai room…the one where Georgy Adams cut his teeth and where he now trains the best local basketball players. Training is needed for the competition in Singapore. Three against three requires speed, technique and cardio: players only have twelve seconds to attack.
3×3 basketball is played by teams of three players, on a half-court; both teams attack and defend the same basket, depending on who has possession. The team in the lead after ten minutes of play, or the first to reach 21 points, wins the match.
It’s a new and beautiful discipline, physically intense, the cardio is important. It’s much more violent.
Georgy Adams
– Selection coach
The Polynesians know that they will face well-trained international players, so there is no question of missing a single training session. The girls want to do as well as at the Pacific Games where they reached gold… The boys are aiming for at least two victories. “We participated last year in the same tournament in 2023 in Singapore. There we have a little more experience. (…) This type of tournament will allow us to prepare for the 2027 Games” assures the coach.
The fastest and most skillful profiles were selected, four girls and four boys in total. Except for one player, all participated in the Pacific Games in Honiara in 2023.
“It’s starting to work in terms of mechanics of play. Everything is fine… The difference is that it’s played in half court. It’s quite physical, which is why the preparation is intense. We are playing against great nations so we shouldn’t expect miracles but we will give everything” confides Raihiti Sommers. The Excelsior member has just recovered from a serious calf injury. With his team, he leaves confident and motivated.
Unity and communication will be the strength… Start of the competition Wednesday March 27. The women’s team will play its first match against the Philippines and the men against Australia.
2024-03-26 06:54:48
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