What Is 2019 FIBA Women's Asia Cup squads

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 FIBA Women's Asia Cup featured 12 national teams, including Australia and Japan, competing from September 27 to October 5 in Bengaluru, India. The tournament served as a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

Key Facts

The 2019 FIBA Women's Asia Cup took place from September 27 to October 5, 2019.
Twelve national teams participated in the tournament held in Bengaluru, India.
Australia defeated China 81–78 in overtime to win the championship.
Japan finished third after beating South Korea in the bronze medal game.
The top five teams qualified for the 2020 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Overview

The 2019 FIBA Women's Asia Cup was the 28th edition of the tournament, organized by FIBA Asia and hosted in Bengaluru, India. It featured the top women's national basketball teams from across Asia and Oceania, competing for continental supremacy and qualification spots for global events.

The competition was structured into two divisions: Division A, with 8 teams vying for the championship, and Division B, with 4 teams competing for promotion. The event doubled as a qualifier for both the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, raising the stakes for all participating nations.

Australia won the tournament by defeating China 81–78 in a thrilling overtime final, securing their third consecutive Asia Cup title.
Japan claimed the bronze medal by defeating South Korea 87–71 in the third-place playoff, showcasing their consistent regional dominance.
China entered as favorites but fell short in the final, finishing as runners-up despite a strong performance throughout the tournament.
Division B included teams like Kazakhstan and the Philippines, with the winner earning promotion to Division A for 2021.
The tournament ran from September 27 to October 5, 2019, with all games held at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru.

How It Works

The FIBA Women's Asia Cup follows a structured competition format designed to determine continental champions and allocate qualification spots for global tournaments. Teams are seeded based on rankings and compete in a group stage followed by knockout rounds.

Format: The tournament uses a two-tiered division system. Division A features the top eight teams competing for the championship, while Division B includes lower-ranked nations battling for promotion.
Qualification: The top five teams in Division A qualify for the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, a key pathway to the Olympics.
Group Stage: In Division A, teams are split into two groups of four. The top two from each group advance to the semifinals.
Knockout Rounds: The semifinals, final, and classification games determine final standings, with tiebreakers based on point differentials if needed.
Promotion/Relegation: The winner of Division B is promoted to Division A for the next edition, while the lowest-ranked Division A team may face relegation.
Host Nation: India automatically qualified as host but competed in Division B due to their lower FIBA ranking at the time.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top-performing teams in the 2019 FIBA Women's Asia Cup based on final standings, head-to-head results, and qualification outcomes.

Team	Final Rank	Record	Key Result	Qualification Earned
Australia	1st	6–0	Defeated China 81–78 (OT)	Olympic Qualifier
China	2nd	5–1	Lost to Australia in final	Olympic Qualifier
Japan	3rd	5–2	Beat South Korea 87–71	Olympic Qualifier
South Korea	4th	4–3	Lost bronze medal game	Olympic Qualifier
Philippines	8th (Division B)	1–2	Lost promotion playoff	None

The table highlights how performance in the tournament directly impacted global qualification opportunities. Australia’s undefeated run solidified their status as regional powerhouses, while lower-ranked teams like the Philippines fought for promotion but fell short. The structure ensured competitive balance and clear pathways for advancement.

Why It Matters

The 2019 FIBA Women's Asia Cup had significant implications for women's basketball across the continent, influencing Olympic aspirations and national development programs. Its outcomes shaped team rankings, funding, and visibility for women's sports in participating countries.

Olympic Pathway: The top five teams earned spots in the 2020 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, a critical step toward Tokyo 2020.
Regional Rivalries: Matches between China, Japan, and South Korea highlighted intense regional competition and growing parity in Asian women's basketball.
Development Focus: The Division B format encouraged investment in women's programs in emerging nations like Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
Host Impact: India’s hosting duties boosted local interest in basketball, though their team remained in Division B due to competitive gaps.
Player Exposure: The tournament provided a platform for rising stars, such as Australia’s Keely Froling and Japan’s Maki Takada, to gain international recognition.
Global Rankings: Final standings influenced FIBA World Rankings, affecting seeding in future international competitions.

The 2019 edition underscored the growing competitiveness and strategic importance of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup in the global basketball landscape, setting the stage for future growth and investment in women's sports across Asia and Oceania.