The Australian Opals made a statement in their opening game of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025, with a crushing 115-39 victory over the Philippines at Shenzhen Sports Center.
All 11 Opals that took the floor got on the scoresheet, with six players finishing in double figures, led by Miela Sowah with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Sara Blicavs added 17.
Chloe Bibby recorded a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double to earn Player of the Game honours. Alexandra Fowler and Courtney Woods added 11 apiece, while youngster Issy Borlase chipped in 10 points.
The Opals now sit at the top of Group B alongside Japan, who defeated Lebanon 72-68 in the other group matchup.
Australia raced out to a 12-0 start with five different players scoring in the opening run, and that was the theme of the night as they led 31-14 at the end of the first, extending their lead to 25 points at the half.
"Our start to the game, we were really intentional about moving the ball, and came out with a defensive-like focus," head coach Paul Goriss said.
"I think that really built the edge for us that continued for the rest of the game."
The second half was much of the same as they kept their foot on the gas, outscoring the Philippines 28-2 in the fourth quarter to secure a 76-point win.
Australia shot a scorching 60.6 percent (46-of-76) from the field and 42.3 percent (11-of-26) from the 3-point line, racking up 36 assists on the night, spearheaded by Abbey Ellis and Stephanie Reid, who recorded nine dimes apiece.
"I think our ball movement was elite," Goriss added. "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 Opals now turn their attention to Lebanon on Monday night as they look to move to a 2-0 record in Group B.
Australia vs. Philippines box score
| PLAYER | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3P | FT |
| Miela Sowah | 17:25 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7-10 | 3-6 | 2-2 |
| Courtney Woods | 18:05 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5-6 | 1-2 | 0-1 |
| Abbey Ellis | 20:57 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 2-3 | 0-1 | 4-4 |
| Stephanie Reid | 19:03 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2-4 | 1-2 | 0-0 |
| Cayla George | 14:38 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3-9 | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| Sara Blicavs | 18:57 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7-13 | 1-2 | 2-2 |
| Isobel Borlase | 22:12 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4-7 | 1-3 | 1-4 |
| Zitina Aokuso | 16:02 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 2-2 |
| Alexandra Fowler | 18:01 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 5-6 | 1-1 | 0-0 |
| Isabelle Bourne | 14:46 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3-5 | 1-3 | 1-1 |
| Alex Wilson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chloe Bibby | 19:54 | 16 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7-10 | 2-4 | 0-0 |
FIBA Women's Asia Cup full schedule: Dates, times for games
*All times AEST.
| Game | Date | Time | Location |
| Australia vs. Philippines | Sunday 13 July | Aus 115 def. Phi 39 | Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre |
| Australia vs. Lebanon | Monday 14 July | 6:30 p.m. AEST | Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre |
| Australia vs. Japan | Tuesday 15 July | 6:30 p.m. AEST | Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre |