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ASIA CUP WOMEN: Powered by a double dose of Alex power, Australia tonight claimed its historic first Asia Cup crown, denying Japan its seventh 88-79 in the Gold Medal Final in Shenzhen, Fowler and Wilson outstanding, the former also winning All Star Five and tournament MVP honours. 

It was a virtual clean sweep for the Opals after falling short in three previous Asia Cup campaigns, point guard Steph Reid also winning All Star Five honours alongside Fowler who was a revelation in this tournament.

And after three Asia Cup demises at the hands of Japan - one Final and two Semi Finals - it was a doubly satisfying success, especially after Japan's veteran Maki Takada tied the Final 70-70 with 7:26 left in the game.

With acting Opals coach Paul Goriss' rotations more adventurous than those he tried in the semi final win over Korea, and his bench responding, Australia led 67-59 going into the final quarter.

But Japan held the Aussies to 13 points in the third quarter and were definitely coming, the Opals' stark inability to contain anyone on the drive ruthlessly exposed.

Issy Bourne, with her second 3-pointer of the Final, opened the last quarter scoring and, ahead 70-59, the Cup was within Australia's grasp.

Yuki Miyazawa did not get the memo, her consecutive three-bombs bringing Japan to 65-70 before Takada stroked another, then tied it.

Alex Wilson, playing only her second game of the tournament, subbed in at 6:55 and immediately changed the complexion of the contest.

Her 3-point guided missile was vital, breaking Japan's 11-0 outburst but Miyazawa would not be denied, nailing another triple for 73-73.

Wilson's next basket - she would score 13 of her 14 points in that dazzling final 6:55 of action - was followed by Reid nailing a 3-point bomb for a 78-73 buffer.

Fowler blocked Kokoro Tanaka's drive and the Opals again were able to pull away, securing the Asia Cup in the process, its defence also now forcing shot-clock violations.

Finishing with a team-high 15 points at 64 per cent, plus six offensive rebounds, two assists, and a block, Fowler completed her Asia Cup separating herself as the best player at the tournament.

It was a withering 54-point first half which sent the Opals into the boxseat and it was in no small measure due to the efforts of Australia's bench.

Cayla George and Fowler started strongly but the Opals were asserting themselves through players such as Zitina Aokuso and Courtney Woods as they pulled out 29-20 at the first break.

Tanaka was the only consistent problem, the tenacious and fearless guard rattling on 19 points to halftime, Reid, Izzy Borlase and Wilson unable to contain her on the drive or from outside.

Reid snapped into action with a 10-point second quarter, Aokuso controlling the middle after two quick fouls prematurely sidelined George.

Woods had nine points by halftime, attacking the hoop aggressively, Bourne also relishing her minutes.

Late buckets by Miyazawa and Tanaka meant Japan trailed 43-54 at the main interval and while it gave dogged chase throughout the second half, its pursuit would remain unrequited as Australia finally asserted itself as the champion of Asia.

GROUP A: China 110 d Indonesia 59; Korea 78 d New Zealand 76. New Zealand 75 d Indonesia 45, China 91 d Korea 69. Korea 95 d Indonesia 62, China 85 d New Zealand 51. Final: 1 China 3-0, 2 Korea 2-1, 3 New Zealand 1-2, 4 Indonesia 0-3.

GROUP B: Japan 72 d Lebanon 68; Australia Opals 115 (Sowah 19, Blicavs 17, Bibby 16, Fowler, Woods 11, Borlase 10; George, Bibby 10 rebs; Ellis, Reid 9 assts) d Philippines 39 (De Jesus 9, Pastrana, Panganiban 8; Animan 5 rebs; Castillo, Panganiban 2 assts). Australia Opals 113 (Bourne 15, Reid, Ellis 14, Bibby 12, Blicavs, Fowler, Woods 11, Sowah 10; Bibby 12 rebs; Reid, Woods 7 assts) d Lebanon 34 (Labban 11, Raffoul 9; Naassan 7 rebs; Raffoul, Naassan 2 assts); Japan 85 d Philippines 82. Australia Opals 79 (Reid 15, Aokuso 14, Blicavs 13, Fowler 11; Aokuso 8 rebs; Reid 9 assts) d Japan 67 (Mawuli 19, Tanaka 10, Tokashiki 8; Tonno, Takada 6 rebs; Tanaka 5 assts); Philippines 73 d Lebanon 70. Final: 1 Australia Opals 3-0, 2 Japan 2-1, 3 Philippines 1-2, 4 Lebanon 0-3.

For 7th: Lebanon 67 d Indonesia 57.

Qualification (for) Semi Finals: Japan 77 d  New Zealand 62; Korea 104 d Philippines 71.

For 5th: New Zealand 78 d Philippines 71.

Semi Final: Australia Opals 86 (George 20, Blicavs 14, Bibby 12, Fowler 11, Borlase 10; George 13 rebs; Reid 8 assts) d Korea 73 (Heo 20, Jihyun Park 19, Choi 10; 3 with 5 rebs; Shin 7 assts).

Semi Final: Japan 90 d China 81

For 3rd (Bronze): China 101 d Korea 66.

Gold Medal Final: Australia Opals 88 (Fowler 15, Wilson 14, Reid 13, Aokuso 11; Aokuso 8 rebs; George 5 assts) d Japan 79 (Tanaka 21, Miyazawa 18, Takada 14; Miyazawa 9 rebs; Tanaka 9 assts).

All Star Five: Alex Fowler, Steph Reid (Australia), Kokoro Tanaka (Japan), Jihyun Park (Korea), Han Xu (China).

Most Valuable Player: Alex Fowler 

Pics courtesy of fiba.com