Lady Supercats pair making cut for Opals camp

LADY Supercats Sara Blicavs and Alex Bunton have edged closer to making the Australian team for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup after scoring an invite to the Opals’ selection camp.

The star duo will travel to Phoenix, Arizona, for the camp which runs from June 25 to July 3.

It is a reward for a strong start to the SEABL season for both Blicavs and Bunton, who are key pillars for the Lady Supercats.

The Australian team will head to Bangalore, India, for the Asia Cup on July 18 and have been drawn in Group B where they will play Korea, Philippines and Japan.

The tournament is a crucial stepping stone towards the 2018 World Cup with the four teams that make the Asia Cup semi-finals scoring qualification.

Blicavs has been in sizzling form this season averaging 23 points per game, six points above her career average.

Bunton has played three games for the Lady Supercats this season with the 198cm centre averaging 11 points and 12 rebounds per game.

With Opals head coach Sandy Brondello unavailable for the Asia Cup due to WNBA commitments, the team will be led by assistant coaches Paul Goriss and Cheryl Chambers.

“The aim of the camp is to introduce the players to the concepts and game style that Sandy will install into the Opals program,” Goriss said.

“It also gives the coaching staff the opportunity to evaluate the players’ skill set that will help the team be successful in Bangalore.”

A mix of experience and young talent will make up the Opals selection camp squad from which the team for the FIBA Asia Cup will be selected which includes six members of the Rio Olympic team in Tessa Lavey, Rachel Jarry, Laura Hodges, Katie-Rae Ebzery, Erin Phillips and Marianna Tolo.

“With the Olympic experience of players … it will be a very tough and competitive camp,” Goriss said.