Sara Blicavs (C) of Australia goes up for a layup during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A 2025 Group B match between Australia and the Philippines in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Xiao Ennan)
SHENZHEN, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Six players cracked double figures in scoring as Australia routed the Philippines 115-39 in their opening group game at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup here on Sunday.
Australia shot 60.5% from the field. Miela Goodchild led Australia with 19 points, while Sara Blicavs and Chloe Bibby had 17 and 16 respectively.
World No. 2 Australia, the highest-ranking team in the tournament, surged to a 12-0 lead with less than three minutes into contention, forcing the Philippines into an early timeout.
The Philippines then showed signs of life, pulling within 14-9, before Australia answered with eight straight points to reestablish a double-digit advantage on the way to a 31-14 lead as the first quarter ran out.
Boasting physicality, cohesion and fast pace, Australia was not done in stretching the lead, going ahead 53-25 at the break.
Australia dominated the glass in the first half, outrebounding the Philippines 29-12, and dishing out 15 assists, 12 more than Gilas Pilipinas.
Back from the locker room, the Philippines didn't make a serious threat to the Opals, who possessed a 50-point advantage at the end of the third quarter, killing any suspense about the outcome.
Since competing at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup in 2017, Australia has been on the podium at each edition, but without a title until now.
Despite being tasked with ending the title drought, Australia coach Paul Goriss said his focus was on the next game.
"A gold medal has eluded us for a very long time at the Asia Cup, and it's something that we put great focus on when coming here trying to win the gold medal. But for us right now, it's one game at a time," he said.
Leading Group B with a superior points difference, Australia will play Lebanon on Monday, with the Philippines set to face Japan, who squeezed past Lebanon 72-68 in the group opener. ■
Courtney Michelle Woods of Australia shoots during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A 2025 Group B match between Australia and the Philippines in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Vanessa De Jesus (L) of the Philippines shoots during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A 2025 Group B match between Australia and the Philippines in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Cayla George (L) of Australia defends Jack Animam of the Philippines during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A 2025 Group B match between Australia and the Philippines in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Chloe Bibby (R) of Australia competes during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A 2025 Group B match between Australia and the Philippines in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Xiao Ennan)
Naomi Natalie Panganiban (L) of the Philippines attempts to break through during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A 2025 Group B match between Australia and the Philippines in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Naomi Natalie Panganiban (2nd R) of the Philippines shoots during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A 2025 Group B match between Australia and the Philippines in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Courtney Michelle Woods (L) of Australia goes up for a layup during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A 2025 Group B match between Australia and the Philippines in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Xiao Ennan)
Isobel Borlase of Australia goes up for a layup during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A 2025 Group B match between Australia and the Philippines in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Xiao Ennan)
Courtney Michelle Woods (C) of Australia breaks through during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A 2025 Group B match between Australia and the Philippines in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Cayla George of Australia goes up for layup during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A 2025 Group B match between Australia and the Philippines in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Kent Jane Pastrana (R) of the Philippines breaks through during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A 2025 Group B match between Australia and the Philippines in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Xiao Ennan)
