SHENZHEN (China) - Years of waiting finally came to an end as Australia snared their maiden tiara following an 88-79 victory over Japan in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 Final, Sunday night at the Shenzhen Sports Center.
Plenty of figures came through in the winner-take-all affair, helping the Opals survive a tough fourth-quarter stand by the traditional contenders to eventually put themselves on top after falling short in the past.
It could be remembered that the proud program settled for silver in their first foray in the competition in 2017 before copping the bronze medal in the next three editions, including the 2023 games in Sydney.
They definitely would've wanted to win it back home but whatever disappointment they suffered in previous editions have been superseded now that they have struck gold, at last, in the land of the former champs.
"We knew coming in that Japan had a huge win last night against China and that they're gonna be a formidable opponent," said Coach Paul Goriss. "I think that our team and the players really bought into the game plan."
Alex Wilson provided the unlikely spark for the hoopers from Down Under, spearheading the decisive 12-2 run toward an 85-75 lead with 2:46 remaining in the game to serve as an apt response to their foes' fightback.
The 31-year-old would also be responsible in putting the game away, knocking down three free throws in separate trips inside the final 2:19 on her way to 14 points - that, after scoring just one in the entire tilt.
Alex Fowler top-scored for Australia with 15 points and 6 rebounds, and went on to earn Tournament Most Valuable Player honors as she finished the meet with averages of 11.8 point and 7.2 rebounds.
The young winger, who will celebrate her birthday tomorrow, July 21, bannered the All-Star Five which also featured Stephanie Reid, who contributed 13 points in the championship bout.
Zitina Aukoso flirted with a double-double with 11 points and 8 rebounds with 4 assists while the quartet of Courtney Woods, Izzy Borlase, Isabelle Bourne, and Cayla George added at least 8 points.
And together, they denied what appeared to be another come-from-behind attack by Team Japan, who erased their 11-point lead early in the fourth by countering with 11 straight to tie the game up at 70-all.
That, of course, gave the impression of a down-the-wire affair taking place, most especially after sweet-shooting forward Yuki Miyazawa splashed in a triple and leveled things up again at 73-all with 6:12 remaining.
But then, Wilson happened, untying the knot to put themselves ahead for good. Reid then hit a trifecta of her own before Fowler helped out, leading to that aforementioned rally that all but sealed the triumph.
"Really happy and proud of the team for their efforts this whole week," Goriss said as they finished undefeated in five games, including two wins against Japan as the team also beat them during the Group Phase.
Kokoro Tanaka led Team Japan with 21 points, 19 of which she made in the first quarter alone which brought glimpses of her scintillating showing versus China some 24 hours ago, but did not end up with the same result.
Miyazawa made 18 points and 9 rebounds while team captain Maki Takada added 14 points in the loss as the Japanese found themselves going back home with a silver medal for the second time in a row.
FIBA