After getting waived by the Golden State Valkyries, Chloe Bibby was able to join Australia’s national team in time for the Asia Cup. Besides trying to win a medal at the confederation championship, teams were also competing to advance to World Cup qualifying, with the winner getting an automatic spot in next September’s tournament.
Group Stage
The tournament started with a group stage that had the top three teams advance to the knockout round and the last place team at the end of the round-robin dropping into a game to play for a spot in this tournament in two years. Australia opened with a dominant 115-39 win over the Philippines on Sunday as Bibby had 16 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes. Their next win was even more dominant as they defeated Lebanon 113-34 on Monday with 12 points, a game-high 12 rebounds, and 4 assists from Bibby in 19 minutes. The top spot in the group was determined on Tuesday after they controlled the second half in a 79-67 win over Japan, getting 5 rebounds from Bibby in 10 minutes.
https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-asiacup-2025/games/125119-AUS-PHI#boxscore
https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-asiacup-2025/games/125122-LBN-AUS#boxscore
https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-asiacup-2025/games/125118-JPN-AUS#boxscore
Medal Round
Winning their group meant that Australia received a bye to the semifinals, which were played on Saturday. They led most of the game against South Korea, winning 86-73 as Bibby had 12 points in 14 minutes. The championship game was on Sunday and the team took the lead early, but Japan tied the score in the fourth quarter before Australia recovered for the 88-79 win. It was their first gold medal since Asia and Oceania combined and they secured a spot in next year’s World Cup. Bibby played 6 minutes to close out the tournament.
https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-asiacup-2025/games/126782-AUS-KOR#boxscore
https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-asiacup-2025/games/126785-AUS-JPN#boxscore
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