SHENZHEN (China) – Years of waiting finally come 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definitely would’ve wanted to win it back home but whatever disappointment they suffered in previous editions have been superseded now that they have struck gold, at last, in the land of the former champs.
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.
*This article will be updated.