Preview of Group A and B in WBL Americas 2026

SANTIAGO (Chile) – The Women’s Basketball League Americas (WBL Americas) returns for its third edition, featuring six teams competing for the continental title from September 29 to October 4 at Centro Deportivo Ismenia Pauchard Demier in Santiago. The teams will be split into two groups of three, with the top two from each group advancing to the Semi-Finals, while second and third-place teams will compete in the Quarter-Finals for the final two Semi-Final spots.

**Group A**

**Ferro (ARG):** The Argentine team arrives in Santiago after clinching the second tournament of the 2026-27 Argentine league season. Ferro competed in the 2024 WBL Americas, finishing sixth, and now aims to perform better. Key players include shooting guard Dalma Piri, who debuted for the senior Argentina national team this year and participated in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2027 South American Qualifiers. Agustina Garcia adds experience with three FIBA Women’s AmeriCup appearances, while Brazilian players Sassa Goncalves and Carolina Oliveira bring international experience to the roster.

**CDC Leones (CHI):** The reigning champions of Chile are bolstered by players with international experience. Javiera Campos, who averaged 12.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2027 South American Qualifiers, is a standout. She will be joined by Constanza Cardenas, Macarena Retamales, and Gabriela Ahumada from that qualifying team, as well as American Jacaira Allen and Brazilian Lays Da Silva.

**Defensor Sporting (URU):** After being crowned national champions in 2025 and finishing as runners-up in 2026, this Uruguayan team looks to translate their local success to the international stage. Key players include Josefina Rivera, Maite Pereira, and Lara Barbato, all members of the national team in recent qualifying events. Young standout Julieta Lauber averaged 14.7 points and 8.2 rebounds at the FIBA U17 Women’s South American Championship 2025.

**Group B**

**SESI Araraquara (BRA):** SESI Araraquara enters with a wealth of recent international experience, winning the Brazilian championship in 2025 and the Liga Sudamericana Femenina in 2024. Key players Debora Costa and Aline Moura look to build on their success, with Moura participating in several international tournaments this year. Maisa Marcal, a newcomer with recent international experience, and young player Mikaelly Freitas also stand out on their roster.

**Sportiva Italiana (CHI):** Like CDC Leones, Sportiva Italiana has WBL Americas experience and won the Chilean championship in 2025. They lost to CDC Leones in the 2026 Final and finished fourth in the 2024 continental competition. Valentina Ojeda is a key player, averaging 14.3 points in recent qualifiers, alongside Thiare García. Their international players include Mexican Anisa Jeffries and American Andrea Daley, both of whom have impressive recent performances.

**Bay Area Phoenix (USA):** Competing in the Women’s Premier Basketball Association (WPBA), Bay Area Phoenix returns to the WBL Americas after finishing as runners-up in 2024. They have revamped their roster, with only point guard Faatimah A returning from the 2024 squad. New additions include Chilean center Isabel González and Japanese player Miyu Mizukawa, complemented by American players eager to showcase their skills at the international level.