Australia clinched their third consecutive Fiba Asia Cup title with a dramatic 90-89 victory over China in Jeddah. The Boomers held on as China missed a potential game-winning shot at the buzzer, sealing a nerve-shredding finale at the King Abdullah Sports City.
Xavier Cooks was instrumental, scoring 30 points on 13-of-17 shooting and collecting nine rebounds. He was named the game's most valuable player. Jaylin Galloway, in his first Asia Cup final, added 23 points with six three-pointers and was later awarded tournament MVP, earning a spot in the All Star Five alongside fellow Boomer Jack McVeigh.
William Hickey delivered clutch plays down the stretch, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks. His putback with under a minute left put Australia ahead for good. For China, Hu Mingxuan led with 26 points, while Hu Jinqiu posted a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double.
China raced to a 25-17 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 36-21 early in the second. But Cooks sparked a furious Australian rally, cutting the deficit to four at halftime. The third quarter saw momentum swing both ways until Galloway's buzzer-beating corner three left Australia trailing by just three entering the final frame.
The tense fourth quarter featured clutch baskets from Cooks and Galloway, with Mingxuan answering. A key block from Will Magnay kept Australia ahead. After Hickey's go-ahead putback, free throws from Cooks and Zhao Rui left the score 90-89. Mingxuan's potential game-winner at the buzzer bounced off the rim, giving coach Adam Caporn's side the victory.
The win extends Australia's unbeaten run in Asia Cup play to 18-0 since their debut in 2017, cementing their status as the dominant force in Asian basketball.
