Singapore missed out on qualification for the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Singapore stop quarter-finals after defeats to China and Netherlands U25 in Pool B on the opening day of the competition.

Singapore opened their campaign against China, falling 15-8 in their first match of the day.

China made a strong start, racing to a 3-0 lead before Han Xingyue got Singapore on the board. The visitors continued to find their rhythm offensively and stretched the advantage to 7-1 before Matilda Lai added Singapore’s second point.

Singapore continued to battle hard despite the deficit, with Jermaine Lim and Han adding to the score before Lydia Ang struck from beyond the arc late in the contest. Singapore finished strongly, scoring four of the final five points, but China had done enough to secure the 15-8 victory.

Singapore returned to the court against Netherlands U25, needing a victory to keep their hopes of progressing alive, but were beaten 21-14 by the European team.

The hosts delivered a stronger offensive display in their second match, almost doubling their scoring from the opening game.

Lim led Singapore with five points, while Lai and Ang each contributed four, as three of Singapore’s four players scored at least four points.

Netherlands U25, however, proved difficult to contain, sealing the victory and ending Singapore’s hopes of progressing from Pool B.

Despite the two defeats, the Singapore side gained valuable competition experience against international opposition at the first FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series event held in Singapore.

Lim said: “I think the coaches are pretty happy with what we did today because, previously, our biggest problem was trying to execute whatever they tell us right before the game. So I think today there were times when we were tired and didn’t follow the game plan, but far fewer than we have been doing so far.

“Hopefully, we can keep this up – absorbing information, maintaining momentum and pushing ourselves to our best – for the remaining two games this season.”

Singapore’s second team, Lion City, successfully progressed through the qualifying draw after defeating Indonesia 20-12 and receiving a walkover against Madagascar.

However, their run ended in Pool C of the main draw, where they were beaten 21-9 by Australia before going down 19-12 to Japanese side Mitsubishi Electric.

The FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Singapore stop continues tomorrow, with the quarter-finals starting at 4.20pm.