SHENZHEN (China) - Australia flat-out dominated in their FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 opening act following a 115-39 masterclass against the Philippines, Sunday evening at the Shenzhen Sports Center.
The Opals wasted no time taking control, firing 12 unanswered points to start the game before finishing the first quarter with a commanding 31-14 lead - thus setting the tone for a one-sided affair in their favor.
In crushing Gilas Women, the three-time bronze medalists have gained a share of Group B leadership with Japan, which earlier escaped Rebecca Akl and the hungry Lebanon by way of a 72-68 decision to open the competition.
"Our start to the game, we were really intentional about moving the ball, and came out with a defensive-like focus. And I think that really built the edge for us that continued for the rest of the game," said Coach Paul Goriss.
All 11 players scored in the wire-to-wire victory, with a total of six players finishing in double figures. Miela Goodchild led the way with a game-high 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field coming off the bench
Sarah Bilcavs delivered 17 points and 6 rebounds. Chloe Bibby notched a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds for an efficiency of 23, while Alex Fowler and Courtney Woods supplied 11 points apiece.
Youngster Izzy Borlase added 10 points in the triumph that saw Australia shoot an excellent 60.5-percent from the floor, including 11 threes - a shooting display which came about huge thanks to their 36 assists.
"I think our ball movement was elite," lauded Goriss, who's been with the Opals since 2017. "We ended up with 36 assists on 46 made field goals. Our ball movement, our player movement, and our spacing was excellent."
"But what I'm most happy about was our deflections, our steals, and being able to hold the other team to 39 points," he added, as his charges collected a total of 10 steals and forced the Philippines to 22 turnovers.
The Aussies will look to go 2-0 when they face Lebanon next tomorrow, Monday, July 14, at 16:30 local time.
Meanwhile, none from the Philippines was able to reach double digits in scoring, with Vanessa De Jesus serving as their leading scorer with 9 points alongside 3 rebounds and 1 of the team's lowly 7 assists,
Naomi Panganiban and Kent Pastrana added 8 points apiece.
Gilas Women will aim to bounce back against Japan on Monday as well at 19:30 local time.
FIBA