3*3 World Cup-Qualifiers
Uganda 12-14 Brazil
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Sunday, 05-05-2019
Uganda’s Women 3*3 National Women’s Basketball team, the Gazelles, will not be part of the 2019 World Cup.
This was confirmed on Sunday night as the Gazelles lost to Brazil 12-14 at the quarter finals stage of the tournament that was held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Despite putting up a good display by the whole squad of Claire Lamunu, Jamila Nansikombi, Rita Imanishimwe and Sarah Ageno, the Gazelles failed to find the cutting edge before falling to Brazil in overtime.
Earlier in the day, Uganda had beaten up on hosts Puerto Rico 13-9, their last group game, to finish second of pool A.
The Gazelles had lost to Australia before bouncing back to beat Estonia in their first two group games on Saturday.
Imanishimwe was Uganda’s best performer at the tournament with 17 points, Lamunu and Zama had 12 each while UCU’s Sarah Ageno managed 7 points in total.
Uganda, ranked 21st in the world (3*3 Women Basketball), will miss world cup despite making two appearances out of the last five editions.
The Qualified teams
Uganda’s target was to finish among the top three teams in order to earn a ticket go the 2019 FIBA 3*3 World Cup which is due to take place from June 18-23 in Netherlands.
In the semis, Australia beat Brazil 21-3 while Spain edged New Zealand 16-14, with the semis winner (Australia and Spain reaching the World cup).
Brazil lost 5-11 to New Zealand in the losers match, for New Zealand to join Spain and Australia as the three countries that occupied the remaining slots.
In the men’s category, Puerto Rico, France and Australia grabbed the last three tickets.