DONGGUAN (China) - Cathay Life salvaged a fifth-place finish in the FIBA Women's Basketball League Asia (WBL Asia) 2025 by sending Al Ula Club home winless, 138-52, Saturday at the Dongguan Sports Center.
The Tigers attacked early on before completely mauling their foes in the second chapter, never to face any resistance en route to finishing what had been a disappointing campaign in triumphant fashion.
Expectations were high for the WSBL dynasty after taking home the silver in the 2024 inaugurals, but their aspirations of replicating such a feat got blown after losing both of their matches in the Group Phase.
Thus, the hunger on the Chinese Taipei side to finish their run strongly and they did just that, venting all their frustrations on the representatives of Saudi Arabia to give themselves some consolation of sorts.
"We're really happy to win this game," said head coach Cheng Hui-Yun.
So fired up was the whole crew that a total of seven players finished in double figures.
Hsu Yu-Lien led the way with 26 points on 52.3-percent shooting. Tseng Hsuan-Yi supplied 22 points and 8 assists, with Huang Ling-Chuan coming through with 17 points as she made five of the team's 20 three-pointers.
Emily Potter tallied 15 points and 9 rebounds, with the tandem of Han Ya-En and Huang Chiao-Chun producing 14 points apiece, Hsiao Yu Wen, meanwhile, added a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
And collectively, Cathay Life crushed the one-woman Al Ula show courtesy of Chennedy Carter, who served as the only bright spot for her side with a game-high 29 points - 26 of which she made in the first half.
As solid their offense was, defense did much wonders in the win as well, as evidenced by the 33 steals they finished with, which hugely accounted for the eye-popping 50 turnovers the opposition committed.
Al Ula will head back to Saudi with a 0-3 record.
FIBA