SHENZHEN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Australia overpowered Japan 88-79 to claim its first FIBA Women's Asia Cup title here on Sunday.
Alexandra Fowler, who was named the tournament's MVP, had 15 points for Australia, who had other three players scoring in double figures.
Since first playing in the Women's Asia Cup in 2017, Australia has made the podium at every subsequent edition, with its best result prior to this year's event being a runner-up finish on debut eight years ago, falling 74-73 to Japan in the final.
The world's second-ranked side relied on its physicality to attack the basket on consecutive occasions from the get-go, leading by as many as 16 points with 4:34 remaining in the second quarter.
Japan, who had shot 47.1% on 3-pointers in the semifinal against China, continued to perform well from 3-point range, with teenage sensation Kokoro Tanaka leading the charge.
The 19-year-old shot 7 of 12 from the floor for 19 points in the first half, though her side still trailed 54-43 at halftime.
Veteran power forward Maki Takada helped Japan move within seven points of Australia with consecutive baskets after the intermission, but the Opals then managed to keep the gap at around 10 points due to a better rebounding that led to more second chance points.
Japan showed resilience at the concluding stages, leveling the game at 70-70 with Takada's five points in a row, before Australia's Alex Brooke Wilson and Japan's Yuki Miyazawa traded 3-pointers at the midpoint of the fourth quarter.
Australia then pulled away from Japan, racing 86-79 ahead into the last minute before securing a breakthrough win.
For Japan, Tanaka pocketed a game-high 21 points, while Miyazawa and Takada added 18 and 14 respectively.
Earlier in the day, China snared the bronze medal after crushing South Korea 101-66.
China captain Yang Liwei pocketed seven points, authoring a 14-0 surge en route to a 31-14 first-quarter lead.
Fueled by Luo Xinyu's five straight points and Wang Siyu's late charge, the host team stretched its margin to 29 points at halftime.
South Korea came no closer than 22 points from China in the second half.
China had a balanced attack, with five players scoring in double figures. Wang put on an all-around show with 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Towering teenager Zhang Ziyu had 18 points. Han Xu and Luo finished with 16 and 15, respectively.
Han was selected in the All-Star Five along with Australia's Fowler and Stephanie Reid, Japan's Tanaka, and Park Ji-hyun of South Korea.
"In terms of a long period of our preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the Asia Cup is like a quiz, and we just passed the quiz," said China coach Gong Luming.
"Throughout the tournament, we learnt a lot from our opponents like Japan, Australia and South Korea. They have good tactics, strategies and personal skills. We can learn from them, it will help us prepare for our future goals," he added. ■
