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SHENZHEN, China, July 20, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Australia survived a late comeback by Japan to win the FIBA Women's Asia Cup for the first time on Sunday.

The Opals, runners up to Japan in 2017, triumphed 88 - 79 at the Shenzhen Sports Centre in southern China.

Australia, which previously defeated their Japanese rivals 79 - 67 in the group stages, led from the start and built an 11-point lead by half time.

But six-time Asian champions Japan rallied in the final quarter -- with power forward Yuki Miyazawa at one stage netting three unanswered 3-pointers in a row -- to level the scores with seven minutes on the clock.

A pair of missed free throws by Japan and crucial baskets from Australian stars Alexandra Fowler and Alex Brooke Wilson helped the Opals edge away as time ticked away for an increasingly desperate Japanese side. 

Australian celebrations began with the buzzer as the team ranked second in FIBA's world rankings finally ended their Asia Cup trophy drought.

Fowler, named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, top-scored for her side with 15 points, while Wilson and point guard Stephanie Reid chipped in with 14 and 13 points respectively. 

Teenage sensation Kokoro Tanaka, who made 27 points in Japan's semi-final downing of hosts China, had to settle for silver despite another impressive display where she ended with 21 points and nine assists. 

Earlier on Sunday, a powerful performance from 2.26m (7ft 5in) Zhang Ziyu helped China thrash South Korea 101 - 66 in the third-place playoff.

The giant 18-year-old centre managed 18 points and 7 rebounds as the hosts maintained their record of consecutive podium finishes at the biennial event, a run which stretches back to 1976.