Title favorites off to winning start at FIBA Women's Asia Cup

Strong title contenders China, Australia and Japan all got off to winning starts at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup on Sunday, with China and Australia notching lop-sided victories while Japan survived a stern test before ultimately edging Lebanon.

All 12 players scored, including seven in double figures, as defending champion China sailed past Indonesia 110-59.

Playing on home soil, China took the initiative from the opening tip, as starting center Han Xu scored seven points and substitute Zhai Ruoyun sank two 3-pointers in a 28-8 first quarter.

Sara Blicavs (C) of Australia goes up for a layup during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A 2025 Group B match between Australia and the Philippines in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Xiao Ennan)

Coming into the game with 6:26 remaining in the quarter for her senior debut in international major tournaments, China's prodigy Zhang Ziyu soon made an impact with five straight points.

Excelling on ball movement, the host team extended its lead in the second quarter, racing into a 49-20 at the halftime break. China handed out 14 assists in the first half, compared to just three for Indonesia.

China's advantage remained unassailable after the interval, giving coach Gong Luming the opportunity of trialing different line-ups. Zhang Ru's 3-pointer earned China a 50-point lead early in the final period.

18-year-old Zhang Ziyu shot five of seven from the floor for a team-high 13 points, tying with Yang Liwei and Luo Xinyu.

"We treated this game as a practice. We want to try different line-ups and style of play," Gong said after the game.

Group A's other opening match will be held on Monday between South Korea and New Zealand, with China facing South Korea on Tuesday.

In Group B, Australia's attacking prowess saw six players hit double figures in a 115-39 rout of the Philippines.

As the highest-ranked team in the tournament, world No. 2 Australia scored 12 unanswered points after the tip-off and never looked back.

Despite being ranked 45 places lower than Japan, 54th-ranked Lebanon showed great tenacity, leading by 10 points after the first quarter and keeping the suspense until the final stages, where Japan used its signature fast breaks and outside shots to prevail, and Kokoro Tanaka's two free throws with 0.2 seconds remaining secured the win for Japan.

"Our game started at 1:30 [p.m.], and I think we started at 2 p.m.," joked Japan coach Corey Gaines, referring to his team's slow start.

Australia now leads the group ahead of Japan due to a superior points difference.

Australia will now face Lebanon, while Japan squares off against the Philippines on Monday.