BENGALURU (India) - Can Cathay Life finally get over the hump?
That's arguably the biggest question fans and observers alike have been wondering, with the Tigers set to represent Chinese Taipei once more in the FIBA Women's Basketball League Asia (WBL Asia) 2026
Tournament history
The Women's Super Basketball League outfit is bound for the prestigious competition for the third straight time, becoming the first team to collect a hat trick of appearances in the meet owned and operated by FIBA.
And definitely, they're hoping that the third time really is the charm, for they've gone unsuccessful in winning it all in their first two campaigns.
After a runner-up finish behind Sichuan Yuanda Meile in the 2024 WBL Asia inaugurals, Cathay Life finished just 5th in the 6-team field in the 2025 edition, having won just once in the 3 games they played in Dongguan.
Path to WBL Asia 2026
But the 2026 games in Bengaluru shall offer another shot at redemption, which they earned by lording over the WSBL once again after ruling the 2025-26 season, sweeping Chunghwa Telecom in the best-of-5 Final.
It capped off yet another dominant season for the Tigers, who remained the yardstick for women's club teams domestically as they snared the title for the 16th consecutive time, raising their trophy count to 20.
Players to watch
Young star Yu Wen-Hsiao will once again lead the attack for Cathay Life, although she would be receiving solid help as they will be reinforced by veteran internationalists Penina Davidson and Shelbey Cheslek.
This will actually be the first FIBA club competition of both imports but the 31-year-old Davidson has been seasoned in the global game, having been a key cog of the New Zealand women's team since 2013.
Professionally, she's succeeded in the Women's NBL in Australia, and has also taken her talents outside of Asia and Oceania by playing for the MGS Panserraikos Serres in the Greek Women's Basketball League.
Cheslek, on the other hand, has played in 10 different countries after graduating from Gonzaga University in 2016, and such a vast experience shall help the Tigers a great deal in their bid of finally snaring the gold.
Schedule
FIBA