The Merlion Cup is an international basketball tournament, in which clubs, national teams and selections take part. It is organised by the Basketball Association of Singapore.
History The inaugural Merlion Cup was hosted in 1984 with the Chinese national team winning over Spanish team Madrid Estudiantes. The tournament was held next year but the 1986 edition was cancelled due to sponsorship issues amidst a recession.
The tournament was resumed in 1987 and was held annually until the 1996 with the 1993 edition not held due to the 1993 Southeast Asian Games and the 1995 edition being cancelled.
The Gay World Stadium later renamed as the Geyland Indoor Stadium has been used as the venue of the tournament from the inaugural until the 1987 tournament. From the 1989 until the 1996 edition the Singapore Indoor Stadium was used as the venue of the basketball meet.
The Merlion Cup was not to be held again until 2016 when the BAS decided to revive the tournament. Two more editions in two years is planned by BAS citing the success of the 2016 edition attributing healthy attendances throughout the competition.
Results YearHostFinalThird place GameChampionScoreSecond placeThird placeScoreFourth place1984DetailsGeylang71–70Madrid EstudiantesGeorgia USSR82–73Mazda Cannons1985DetailsGeylangUSSR Spartak75–70?1987DetailsGeylangUSSR Spartak?Steiner-Optik Bayreuth? ( China Army or KK Smelt Olimpija)1988DetailsGeylangBrewster Heights Packing??1989DetailsKallangKiev Stroitel84–81University of Nevada alumni82–77Gold Coast Cougars1991DetailsKallang90–74USSR Spartak? ( Kiev IPS Budivelnik or World Basketball League All-Stars)1992DetailsKallangFajing96–76Shanghai?1994DetailsKallangMelbourne Tigers?Frankwell?1996DetailsKallangAspac Texmaco88–84?2016DetailsKallangShanghai Sharks78–77Mighty SportsSeoul Samsung Thunders94–55Singapore Slingers2017DetailsKallangAdelaide 36ers101–81Shanghai SharksJeonju KCC Egis78–68Singapore Slingers
Medal tally
By country Country Total 3 6 9 3 1 4 2 0 2 1 1 3 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1
See also William Jones Cup Merlion Cup FIBA Intercontinental Cup
Notes
References