Olivia Epoupa had to wait almost a week to start her WNBL championship party after illness almost derailed her grand final heroics.
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Epoupa joined her teammates for the last time as a Canberra Capital when she won the Kellie Abrams defensive award at the club's end of season function on Tuesday night.
It was the first time she had been able to celebrate without feeling ill, revealing she struggled through game two of the grand final series as she battled a virus.
Somehow she managed to finish with 16 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds to lead Canberra to a 71-68 win against the Southside Flyers a week ago.
Now she hopes the title party and the win is just the beginning of a massive year, which includes her bid to help France win a medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
"On Wednesday morning before the game I was feeling good, but at the end of the game my throat was terrible," Epoupa said.
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"I didn't have time to celebrate with my team, but we won and that's the most important thing.
"The Olympics is so exciting. But I'm also thinking about [coronavirus]. I hope the situation can be better.
"But the chance to go to Japan, that would be amazing. I can't wait, hopefully the situation is better."
Epoupa could run into Capitals teammates Kia Nurse (Canada) and Marianna Tolo or Kelsey Griffin (Australia) at the Olympics, which are scheduled to start at the end of July.
"Hopefully it all goes [ahead with coronavirus]. I think this Canadian team we have right now is one of the best we've had in a long time," Nurse said.
"I think we have an opportunity to do something really special at Tokyo and there's a belief in that throughout our team and country. There are a lot of really good things coming out of that."
Griffin is still in contention to be selected in the Australian Opals squad, with a camp to be held on the Gold Coast from March 29 to April 5.
If she misses selection, she could switch her focus to linking with Keely Froling in three on three, which has been added to the Olympic program for the first time.