KURSK (Russian Cup Women/FIBA World Championship for Women) - Diana Taurasi and Candace Parker showed why they are still big box-office names and likely to headline the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women later this year after delivering more silverware for the all-conquering UMMC Ekaterinburg.

After completing a clean sweep of domestic titles last year, the EuroLeague Women champions retained their iron-grip on the Russian Cup over the weekend after coming away from the Final Four with a 78-66 success in the decisive game against Nadezhda Orenburg.

It was the sixth successive Cup title for UMMC and made possible mainly by Taurasi, who was in typically influential mood and produced the kind of display which has become synonymous with the guard throughout her glittering career. 

The veteran was named Final Four MVP and led the Foxes to yet another trophy, with the juggernauts having already won the Russian Super Cup earlier in the campaign. 

Parker also continued her particularly scorching form of the last 18 months or so, with the pair combining for 40 points as UMMC took control in the second half of the contest in Kursk.

A third American player who could yet feature at what would be a stunning fourth FIBA World Championship for Women tournament also played a major role.  Experienced playmaker Sue Bird pulled the strings and enjoyed over 33 minutes of court time en-route to the cup success.

Another Turkey-bound star in Les Bleues forward Sandrine Gruda, also grabbed a precious Cup winners medal, whilst there was interest in Russian legend and UMMC center Maria Stepanova being quoted as saying this may not necessarily be her final season in the sport as many sources had previously predicted.

FIBA