“It’s amazing – I don’t think any of us would have ever imagined we would be playing with Lauren,” Borlase said.
“She shows it [her greatness] at training, in the gym and out on the court. She is someone I look up to.
“I get reminded about the age gap between me and some of the girls, but that’s our team; that is what makes us unique.”
Chambers also praised Jackson who she described as being the “fittest she has ever been”.
“Sometimes we expect the bronze medal game Lauren Jackson,” Chambers said.
“But I think she is the fittest she has ever been and she allows people to be good around her. I thought she had a great game tonight.
“Our fitness guys are saying she sends these things through that she is doing that are unbelievable and she has to be, as age is not on her side.
“She has awesome skills, to keep her body going she needs to be that fit and hats off to her for being so disciplined and doing it.”
Victorian forward Alice Kunek, who is chasing her first Olympics, was also exceptional with 19 points showing she had completely recovered from a broken wrist which ruined her WNBL season.
“I’ve been dealt a few injuries recently so to be playing right now, I’m just super grateful,” Kunek said.
“I’ve done the work and you just have to trust everything and I know they are going to pick the best team to go to Paris.”
Alice Kunek of the Opals attempts to get a shot away.Credit: Getty Images
The Opals roster seems a little more predictable than the Boomers, with WNBA players Ezi Magbegor, Rebecca Allen, Steph Talbot, Kristy Wallace, Sami Whitcomb, Alanna Smith and Jade Melbourne appearing likely to be on the final roster.
Smith struggled for minutes under Brondello in Tokyo, but has starred with the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA so she would be hard-pressed to be left out.
Jackson, Marianna Tolo, Tess Madgen and Cayla George are veterans who all played in the Olympic qualifying campaign in February, that would leave one spot which seems set for Borlase who has gone from strength to strength at international level.
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Point guards Steph Reid and Maddison Rocci plus Kunek and centre Darcee Garbin have done everything right so could still earn a place.
Chambers and the coaches are regularly having calls with Brondello as they finalise selection, the Opals play China at John Cain Arena on Friday night.
The Olympic team will meet up in Spain once WNBA pauses for training camp and some final games before heading to Lille, where the basketball will be played.
“It’s a horrible thing to do to have to select the team but it’s part and parcel of these roles,” Chambers said.
