Australia claims third consecutive Asia Cup in thrilling one-point victory over China
Australia secured their third successive Asia Cup basketball title in dramatic fashion, edging China 90-89 after Hu Mingxuan's potential game-winning three-pointer missed the mark at the final buzzer during Sunday's championship game at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
The Boomers' triumph was built on outstanding individual performances, with Xavier Cooks delivering a game-high 30 points to earn MVP honors while tournament MVP Jaylin Galloway contributed 23 points. Australia demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the contest, overcoming a significant early deficit to prevent China from capturing what would have been a record 17th continental championship.
Australia coach Adam Caporn praised his team's mental fortitude following the narrow victory. "The main thing is I am so proud of the character of our guys," said Caporn. "We were down by 15, but we saw our players' toughness, their problem-solving attitude. We have great people in the programme, and in my opinion that's why we won."
Despite the heartbreaking defeat, China showcased their competitive spirit with Hu Mingxuan leading the scoring effort with 26 points. Team captain Zhao Rui expressed optimism about his squad's future prospects despite falling just short of the championship. "This loss actually motivates us," he said. "Some fans probably didn't expect a close game, but we delivered a wonderful game for the fans tonight. This one-point loss will remind us to work harder and get better. Today is just the start, not the end."
The victory extends Australia's remarkable dominance since joining FIBA's Asian zone from Oceania ten years ago. The Boomers have now maintained an unblemished record across 18 Asia Cup matches dating back to their tournament debut in 2017, establishing themselves as the premier basketball nation in the region.
In the bronze medal contest earlier Sunday, Iran defeated New Zealand's Tall Blacks 79-73 to claim third place in the tournament.
SportsLigue