The inaugural One Guyana 3×3 Quest concluded in spectacular fashion at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, with Puerto Rico’s Team Carolina emerging as champions. The historic tournament, held on April 5-6, showcased the immense talent of Caribbean basketball and served as a springboard for greater regional prominence in the sport.
Carolina dominated the competition, going undefeated in seven matches to secure the USD $5,000 grand prize and a coveted spot in the FIBA 3×3 World Tour in Edmonton, Canada. Their final showdown against Distrito Nacional of the Dominican Republic ended with a decisive 21-15 victory, cementing their position as one of the top teams in the Americas.
Led by Most Valuable Player Bryan Colon and supported by Antonio Ralat, Gary Diaz, and Nathaniel Buttle, Carolina displayed exceptional chemistry and resilience throughout the tournament. Their performance highlighted the potential of Caribbean basketball to compete on a global stage.
The event featured 19 teams from 16 countries, making it the largest 3×3 basketball tournament ever hosted in the English-speaking Caribbean. Guyana’s Renegades were the only local team to reach the knockout stage but fell short in the quarterfinals against Trinidad and Tobago’s Maloney Pacers. Other Guyanese teams, Georgetown and Untouchables, were eliminated during group play.
Despite Grenada’s last-minute withdrawal, the tournament was hailed as a resounding success by organizers and participants alike. Rawle Toney, Vice President of the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF), emphasized the significance of hosting such an event. “This tournament has put Guyana and the Caribbean on the map for 3×3 basketball,” Toney stated. “It’s a catalyst for growth and development in regional sports.”
The GBF received widespread praise for its efforts to transform the venue into a world-class arena and ensure seamless execution of the event. Sponsors including the Government of Guyana, KP Thomas Construction, SuperBet, and others played a crucial role in making the tournament possible.
As Team Carolina prepares for their next challenge on the FIBA World Tour, the One Guyana 3×3 Quest has set a new standard for basketball in the region. The tournament not only celebrated athletic excellence but also laid a foundation for future collaborations and opportunities to elevate Caribbean sports to new heights.
