Sara Blicavs was Australia’s star performer as they cruised to a 107-65 victory in Group B at the Kanteerava Indoor Stadium. 

As well as scoring 19 points, she also registered eight rebounds and six assists.

The Philippines outscored Australia 42-39 in the second half, but the match was effectively all over by that point. 

The Division A newcomers have now lost in their first two outings.  

Joining Australia in maintaining their perfect record today was Japan, who claimed a convincing 70-56 win over South Korea today.

The Japanese trailed 14-12 after the first period, but they outscored their opponents 26-7 in the second stanza to break the game open and establish a commanding 17-point lead at the break.

Manami Fujioka was in superb form for the victors, scoring 14 points on top of four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Moeko Nagaoka and Maki Takada also impressed with a combined 23 points.

Australia and Japan are due to face each other tomorrow in a battle for top spot.

It will be followed by South Korea’s meeting with the Philippines for the right to finish in third place. 

All four teams will advance to the quarter-finals, but the first-place finisher in Group B will go up against the fourth-place finisher in Group A and vice versa.

China continued their 100 per cent start in Group A with a 102-63 success over Chinese Taipei.

Forward Huang Sijing scored 25 points in a 21-minute period to lead the way for China, while Li Yueru and Huang Hongpin scored 19 and 15 points respectively.

New Zealand bounced back from defeat to China yesterday by beating North Korea 71-50.

Jillian Harmon scored 23 points to lead New Zealand’s charts, while Micaela Cocks had 18 to her name.

New Zealand and Chinese Taipei face each other tomorrow with both nations currently holding records of one win from two matches.

China go up against North Korea as they bid to seal top spot.