Was the Australian Opals’ nailbiting win over Puerto Rico on Monday night the turning point for their previously spluttering Olympic campaign?

That’s the big question heading into Wednesday’s quarter final against America. Out of sorts in losses to Belgium and China before hitting their straps after half-time on Monday night, the Opals know that it is now or never.

Despite beating an American team that was below full strength in a practice match before the Olympics, the Opals were always in danger of taking time to gel.

They had the drama of Liz Cambage withdrawing from the team, Sara Blicavs flying in as her replacement and then losing WNBL MVP Steph Talbot to injury in the opening game.

But they’ve also had the unique situation of players being split up around the world since the WNBL season ended in December.

Five players were in America playing WNBA, five were in Victoria, Cayla George was in Cairns and Perth Lynx captain Katie Ebzery was by herself in New South Wales after re-locating earlier this year.

Ebzery said the Olympics build up had been a unique challenge.

“Having gone back to Sydney, I had to do a lot of individual workouts and running at the park by myself or finding people to play against because I wasn’t with the team,” Ebzery explained.

“It was challenging to find people because not everyone is available to do middle of the day training sessions because they have schedules they have to meet for their own lives.

“All of the US girls were with their individual WNBA teams, there were four or five girls in Melbourne and that allowed them to get together to do sessions during the week.

“It was somewhat lonely not being in the team environment. It was challenging and that’s why it’s nice to be with the group again.”

The Opals were eliminated from the Olympics in the 2016 quarter finals and Ebzery is among six players to have returned for another campaign.

George, who was also in Rio, lifted when it mattered on Monday night and said the tough start had galvanised the group.

“We’ve been through a lot in the last month or so and I think we’ve stayed together, we’ve stayed in our bubble and we’ve stayed prepared and ready,” George said.

“That was a great brand of Opals basketball to finish the game off, so hopefully we can regroup now and get ready for the quarters. It’s a different ball game now.”