Semi-Finals set and Olympic Qualifying Tournaments teams confirmed; Chinese Taipei drop to Division B

SYDNEY (Australia) - Both New Zealand and Australia have joined China and Japan in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Semi-Finals, with all four teams set to represent Asia next year at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.

The quartet will continue on the Road to Paris 2024, but before they even think too much about that, they will have to firstly continue their attempt to be crowned FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2023 champions.

New Zealand will face Japan and China will go up against Australia in Saturday's highly anticipated Semi-Finals, while in stark contrast, Chinese Taipei are mourning being relegated to Division B after they lost a dramatic clash with Lebanon in the 7-8 Classification Game.

Opals jump out on Korea to sail into the Semis

Australia provided the perfect reaction to their big loss to Japan in the last of the Group Phase games by coming out with all guns blazing against Korea to cruise their way to an impressive 91-64 success.

The Opals were on fire early and in a dominant first-half, put the outcome beyond doubt having accumulated a hefty double-digit lead off the back of some excellent perimeter shooting as they dropped six triples from ten attempts. The main architects of the success were Lauren Scherf who finished with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, as well as Tess Madgen who offered up 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, with 

Double celebration and history for the Tall Ferns as they break Philippines dreams

The Tall Ferns took a memorable and historic  83-78 victory in what was another amazing advert for women's hoops in Asia. A monumental display from Charlisse Leger-Walker paced the success as they made the last four for the first time. The guard came away with the highest score by any player in the tournament with a stellar 34 points and 6 assists. Tera Reed played a big role in helping them too by netting 23 points, while Penina Davidson harvested a double-double of 10 points and 11 boards.

New Zealand will now face Japan in Saturday's Semi-Finals as they also gain satisfaction from staying on the Road to Paris 2024 as they look forward to the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments next year.  Meanwhile Philippines can look back on a transformational tournament, not only surviving by winning in the Group phase, but also coming so close to making the last four and the OQT's. 

Lebanon avoid the drop as Chinese Taipei fall from Division A

There was joy for Lebanon as they secured their top flight status for 2025 by taking a nail biting 75-73 victory against Chinese Taipei who were condemned to relegation to Division B.

Lebanon were only recently promoted as Division B winners in 2021 and they avoided a quick return despite a tricky start to the game in Sydney. They gave up a massive 27 points in the opening quarter and had to come from behind to take a landmark success.

It was a case of fourth time lucky as all of their big-hitters finally put on a performance at the same time, including 2021 Division B MVP Rebecca Akl who scored the decisive basket with just a few seconds left on the game clock. She finished with a superb  27 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Trinity Baptiste was also on fire with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while Aida Bakhos played a cameo with 12 points and 8 boards.

The defeat was particularly tough to take for Wei-An Chen as she accumulated a superb 25 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.

Daily Highs

Efficiency: 32 - Wei-An Chen (TPE)
Points: 34 - Charlisse Leger-Walker (NZL)
Rebounds: 11 - Penina Davidson (NZL), Jack Animam (PHI)
Assists: 8 - Heji An (KOR)
Steals: 3 - Tahlia Tupea (NZL)
Blocks: 2 - Multiple Players

Results

Qualification To The Semi-Finals
New Zealand 83-78 Philippines 
Australia 91-64 Korea 

7th and 8th Place Classification
Lebanon 75-73 Chinese Taipei

FIBA