BENGALURU (India) - Sichuan Yuanda Meile rode the hot hands of Sara Blicavs early toward blasting Cathay Life, 92-70, to open the FIBA WBL Asia 2026 festivities at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, Tuesday.
The Australia Opals veteran finished with 27 points, 14 of which she made in the opening period behind a 4-of-5 clip from beyond the arc to lead her crew to a 33-22 lead, setting the tone for the lopsided show.
And it did not take long for the Pandas to break the game wide open, doing so right in the following chapter with a 22-12 barrage as they effectively tamed the Tigers en route to gaining the head start in Group A.
"It was a really good first hit-out. It was nice to play with each other and get used to each other," said Blicavs. "I think it's a good sign for the future, that we're gonna be a pretty good force this year in the WCBA."
League returnee Chennedy Carter shone as well with 22 points, as she helped SC Yuanda stay very much in control, especially in the second half. The former Al Ula star also had 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals.
Seasoned forward Gao Song supplied 11 points and 6 rebounds as all 12 players of the inaugural WBL Asia champions contributed at least 2 points in the victory - a well-spread attack behind 26 assists.
"Today is actually our first game together. And from today, it showed that we still need more time to familiarize with one another. We have several new players so we have to integrate them," said head coach Yang Yi.
Sichuan will look to secure the top spot in the pool - and sweep their way into the Semi-Finals - with a victory against league newcomers Akari Sparks of the Philippines on Thursday, October 22, at 16:00 local time.
The locals, on the other hand, led Cathay Life in the defeat, with Chu Chu finishing with 16 points alongside 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Liu Hui-Ju was the only other player in double figures with 14 points.
The Tigers actually started well and even took a 14-11 lead behind a Cheng I-Hsiu trifecta.. But it proved to be the last time they'd be ahead.
Xiao Tong scored off a layup and followed it up with a perfect trip to the line, before Song, Tian Yuanyuan, and Blicavs came in to help put together a 10-0 rally for the 21-14 edge with 3:45 left in the first quarter.
And it would be all Pandas since, with the same troika pushing the spread to 33-20 after Song knocked down 1 of her 2 triples of the bout - off a Xiao Tong assist - just before the period came to a close.
With the loss, Cathay Life are in a must-win situation against the Sparks tomorrow, Wednesday, October 21, to stay in contention for a Top 2 spot in the pool, which merits a Semi-Final ticket. Tip-off is set at 16:00 local time.
"We underwent roster changes so we're still adjusting," Coach Cheng Hui-Yun said. "Still, we will keep trusting each other and try to get to know each other, and that's what we're gonna prepare for tomorrow's game."
FIBA