TPE – Cathay Life celebrate return to WSBL with Championship win

TAIPEI CITY (WSBL) - Cathay Life capped their return to the WSBL by sweeping defending champions Taiyuan Textiles 2-0 in the championship series to clinch their 18th WSBL title.

Cathay Life, who compiled a 19-1 record in the regular season, won 63-58 and 72-65 in the best-of-three finals.

Taipower clinched third place by beating Chunghwa Telecom 99-62 and 103-72.

Cathay Life boycotted the 2010 WSBL season over what they claimed was a violation by Chunghwa Telecom in signing Chiang Feng-chun, a former Cathay Life forward who came out of retirement.

Having kept themselves out of the previous season, Cathay Life – who had won 17 straight titles till then – went on a rampage this year.

Their only defeat of the season came as a minor aberration when they lost 70-62 to Taipower in Round 19 of the regular season.

Taipei international Cheng Hui-yun (pictured) was the star in Cathay Life’s championship-clinching win.

The 34-year-old forward scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead her side.

Taiyuan's Liu Chun-yi impressed with her all-round abilities with 30 points, nine rebounds and four assists, but it wasn't enough.

WSBL regular season standings
1. Cathay Life 19-1
2. Taiyuan T 16-4
3. Taipower 12-8
4. Chunghwa 7-13
5. Applause RD 6-14
6. Fo Guang 0-20

FIBA Asia