Sichuan Yuanda Meile began the FIBA WBL Asia 2026 tournament with an impressive 92-70 victory over Cathay Life at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Sara Blicavs, a veteran of the Australia Opals, led the charge with 27 points, including 14 points in the first quarter alone, where she shot 4-of-5 from three-point range. This strong start helped Sichuan establish a 33-22 lead.
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The Pandas continued their dominance with a 22-12 run in the second quarter, effectively controlling the game and securing an early advantage in Group A. Blicavs expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "It was a really good first hit-out... I think it's a good sign for the future."
Chennedy Carter also contributed significantly, scoring 22 points and adding 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. Gao Song added 11 points and 6 rebounds, as all 12 players in the squad made contributions, resulting in a balanced offense supported by 26 assists. Head coach Yang Yi remarked on the team's need for further integration due to several new players, indicating that more time is necessary for full cohesion.
Looking ahead, Sichuan aims to secure the top spot in their group with a match against newcomers Akari Sparks of the Philippines on Thursday, October 22, at 16:00 local time.
On the other hand, Cathay Life's Chu Chu led her team with 16 points, while Liu Hui-Ju contributed 14 points. Despite starting strong, Cathay Life lost their lead early in the first quarter and struggled to catch up thereafter. Coach Cheng Hui-Yun acknowledged the team’s ongoing adjustments due to roster changes and emphasized the importance of trusting and understanding each other as they prepare for their next game against Akari Sparks on Wednesday, October 21, at 16:00 local time.