FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup: NBL1 youngsters one step away from glory

Image Credit: Mitch Barlow

The Australian Sapphires will conclude their FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup campaign on Sunday, September 28, taking on New Zealand in the tournament final in Seremban, Malaysia.

With a squad containing nine players who have featured in NBL1 this season, the Sapphires have gone on an absolute tear. They completed the group phase of the competition with an average winning margin of 80 points and stormed into the tournament final with a 28-point win over China.

They will now face a New Zealand side that made it out of Group B in third place, but performed strongly against Chinese Taipei, and redeemed themselves against Japan in the semi-final to make it through to the final.

Tune in at 8:00pm AEST on Sunday, September 28 as the Sapphires take on New Zealand in the tournament final. You can watch the game HERE

The list of NBL1 players represented in the FIBA Asia Cup Sapphires squad are as follows:

Daisy Hocking - Eastern Mavericks (NBL1 Central)

Isabel Smith – Centre of Excellence (NBL1 East)

Olivia Olechnowicz - Centre of Excellence (NBL1 East)

Jemyma Manyok - Centre of Excellence (NBL1 East)

Madison Ryan - Sandringham Sabres (NBL1 South)

Marianela Fakalata - Dandenong Rangers (NBL1 South)

Sophie Richardson - Eltham Wildcats (NBL1 South)

Eden Catip - Mackay Metorettes (NBL1 North)

Lily Mapp - Mackay Meteorettes (NBL1 North)

Tune in at 8:00pm AEST on Sunday, September 28 as the Sapphires take on New Zealand in the tournament final. You can watch the game HERE