AMMAN (Jordan) - The FIBA Women's Asia Cup opened up in Amman with Japan showing why many people consider them as the best shooting team in world basketball - men or women. 

They raced out of the blocks and put on a trademark show from downtown, making it rain with 24 triples to brutalize India 136-46.

Shireen Vijay Lamaye admitted that she had not slept for days at the prospect of playing the Olympic silver medalists. And, the Indian leader and her teammates subsequently endured something of a living nightmare as they fought against an unstoppable three-point tide.

Even a switch of head coach and more than half of their roster changing could not stop Japan's momentum from the Olympics when they made that epic run to the Final. Having already gained new fans for their spacing and perimeter skills at Tokyo 2020, they've now strenghened their claim to the title of the best shooting team around.

In a fine team effort, it was Kiho Myashita who stood out most as she dropped 27 points, with Monica Okoye adding 24 for the reigning four-time FIBA Women's Asia Cup champions as they tipped off their title defense in style.

Also in Group A, Korea made a statement about their intent as they took down New Zealand 85-69 thanks mainly to their three-point shooting potency. They made 13 scores from distance, in what was a winning start for recently appointed head coach, Jung Sun-Min.

Absent from the Tokyo squad, Isaem Choi was one of only a couple of new players brought into the mix and she repaid that faith instantly by erupting for 29 points and also pulling down 8 rebounds. Hyejin Park was impressive also, racking up 20 points, 11 boards and 6 assists. However, the defeat was tough on New Zealand center Penina Davidson, who collected a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds.

Meanwhile in Group B, Australia had to work hard to see off Chinese Taipei. They were even trailing in the third quarter, but the Opals eventually eased their way to a 76-65 success behind an important 13 points and leadership of Sami Whitcomb.

Last but not least, title hopefuls China swamped Philippines 143-52 as eight players recorded double-digit scoring returns.

FIBA