TERRITORY basketball star Abby Cubillo and her Australian under-17 teammates are in promising form ahead of this month's FIBA World Championships in Spain.
The Sapphires exacted revenge against an Invitational United States team on Tuesday night in China, winning 78-68 after losing 72-52 to the same opponent last week. 
It was the Australian basketballers' second straight triumph after easing past the Lithuanian under-19 side 74-61 in the third of their four games.
Cubillo (one point, three rebounds) started and played 20 minutes before her back-up, Victoria's Monique Conti, got hot in the last quarter to finish with 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting and four steals.
The Karama product is known for her hard-nosed defence and composure. Cubillo's Sapphires started their Chinese campaign with consecutive defeats, firstly to the Americans then a 71-70 result to the hosts.
Cubillo, who turned 17 last month, scored six points against China, with two rebounds and an assist.
Emerging stars Ezi Magbegor and Jasmine Simmons were among the Sapphires' best performers on the tour.
Cubillo told the NT News before departing that she believed her team could win a world championships medal.
"I don't think it's hit me yet that I'm going to a world championships - it's going to be such a crazy feeling when it does hit me," she said.
"I think we can (win a medal). I'm hoping we can.
"We have a really versatile and really athletic team with a good chance to compete with the US this year." The Australians return home for a bit over a week before heading to Prague, Czech Republic, on   June 12 for a second warm-up tournament.
From there the Sapphires will travel to Spain, with the world championships being held in Zaragoza from   June 22 to   July 2.Cubillo relocated to Sydney last year to further her basketball career before scoring a Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence scholarship in   November.