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FORMER Adelaide Lightning WNBL import Kayla Alexander turned in a blinder for Canada at the FIBA World Cup Qualifying series in Turkey, but it still wasn't quite enough to stall the rampaging Opals, players such as Chloe Bibby relishing extended minutes in the absence of two starters.

With Ezi Magbegor and Steph Talbot injured and out of the team for its final run at the qualifiers - having already qualified for the World Cup in Berlin, this series was a great opportunity for the Opals to compete in some meaningful preparation games - Bibby made the most of her 22:52, scoring 8 points (including 2-of-3 threes) and snaring 7 rebounds.

While the stats showed nothing more, her reach and constant activity created chances for the Opals who also had WNBL MVP and Paris Olympian Isobel Borlase capitalising on her starting role.

Borlase finished with 13 points in 21:41, Alex Wilson scoring eight points plus three assists, and warrior Cayla George battled gamely despite her six points coming on 2-of-10 shooting.

Jade Melbourne still collected four fouls but was less reckless with the ball, her scoop basket high off the backboard and running calculated 3-point heave to close the third quarter proving invaluable as morale boosters.

Alexander fought Australia's depleted frontcourt for 26 points at 75 per cent, plus 13 rebounds in an outstanding display that largely kept Canada in the contest.

But the consistency of Alanna Smith (12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals) and playmaker Sami Whitcomb was sufficient to steer Australia to its 82-76 victory.

While Zitina Aokuso struggled with six turnovers, Whitcomb's 23 points - which included a perfect 5-of-5 threes and five assists - meant she was a lock for the All Star Five.

She not only joined Mai Yamamoto (Japan), Kennedy Burke (Turkey), Dorka Juhasz (Hungary) and Aaliyah Edwards (Canada) in the tournament's Star quintet, she additionally was crowned TISSOT MVP.

The field for the FIBA World Cup is: Australia, Belgium, China, Czechia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mali, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Spain, Turkey, USA.

*FIBA World Cup Qualifying Series

Australia Opals 82 (Whitcomb 23, Borlase 13, Smith 12; Smith 8 rebs; Whitcomb 5 assts) d Canada 76 (Alexander 26, Carleton 17, Edwards 12; Alexander 13 rebs; Colley 10 assts) in Turkey.

Australia Opals 77 (Smith 18, George 16, Wilson 14, Whitcomb 11; Smith 10 rebs; Whitcomb, Wilson, George 5 assts) d Turkey 74 (Uzun 20, Burke 17, Cakir 14, Atas 10; Topuz 8 rebs; Cakir 6 assts) in Turkey.

Australia Opals 71 (Magbegor 14, Whitcomb 12, Smith 11; Aokuso 9 rebs; 4 with 2 assts) d Hungary 58 (Kiss 10, Dubei 9, Dombai 7; Juhasz, Kiss 7 rebs; Aho 3 assts) in Turkey.

Australia Opals 81 (Whitcomb 17, Magbegor 14, Smith 12, Aokuso 10; Smith 9 rebs; Wilson 7 assts) d Japan 71 (Tanaka 17, Yamamoto, Hirashita 16; Machida 6 rebs; Machida 10 assts) in Turkey.

Australia Opals 91 (Borlase 19, Magbegor 16, Melbourne 12; Smith, Magbegor 7 rebs; Smith 5 assts) d Argentina 65 (Chagas, Mungo 17; Gretter 7 rebs; Gretter 6 assts) in Turkey.

*Australia has already qualified for the World Cup in Berlin.