DOHA: While other teams in the competition will be concentrating more and training their guns on finishing on the podium, there will be an additional interesting factor to watch out for when hosts Qatar take to court in the 1st FIBA Asia 3x3 Championship for Men and Women at Doha beginning today.
Qatar, as hosts, will have the opportunity to field two teams in the competition.
But the uniqueness of the hosts challenge may not end there.
Qatar may turn out to be the only team that will feature a naturalised player in not only one, but both the teams.
And both equally crafty and gifted players at that, a report on www.fibaasia3x3.fibaasia.net revealed.
Guards Trey Johnson (left in the combo picture) and Boney Watson, each a floor general by his own merit and right, will be virtually involved in head-to-head clash in not only leading their respective teams – Qatar Maroon and Qatar Grey.
Of the two Johnson has already proven his mettle with the Qatari national team playing a vital role in leading the GCC giants to the bronze medal at the 4th FIBA Asia Cup at Tokyo (Japan) last September.
Prior to arriving in Doha for the 1st FIBA Asia 3x3 Championship - to be held at Villaggio Mall - the 28-year-old Johnson was plying his trade with Angelico Biella in the highly competitive Italian Serie A and returned an average of 16.4 points per game with a three-pointer shooting percentage of 46.8 percent, the report added. Watson, on the other hand, has been showcasing his wares in Doha.
The 35-year-old played a stellar role for Al Rayyan leading them to three finals en route to winning a grand double with triumphs in the 2012-13 Heir Apparent Cup and 2012-13 the Emir Cup.
Therefore, simply put, the challenge for Qatar teams is more from within their own backyard than from outside. Interesting fare ahead indeed. AGENCIES
