FIBA-Women’s Basketball League Asia: Chennedy Carter guides Sichuan Yuanda Meile into final

American Chennedy Carter starred as Sichuan Yuanda Meile reached the final of the FIBA-Women’s Basketball League Asia at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. Carter scored 31 points, supported by Australia’s Sara Blicavs with 22 points and captain Song Gao with 21 points, as Sichuan beat KB Stars 93-74 in the semifinal. Carter also collected five rebounds and dished out five assists. The 27-year-old former WNBA player, drafted fourth overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2020 WNBA draft, appeared to play every role, switching between guard, shooting guard and even power forward.

Denso Iris sets up final against Sichuan

Denso Iris (Japan) faced a stiff challenge from Cathay Life Tigers (Chinese Taipei) before emerging triumphant 86-78 in the other semifinal to set up a final against Sichuan on Sunday. Maki Takada, the 37-year-old centre, starred for Iris, finishing as its top-scorer with 20 points.

Indian Railways finishes last

Earlier, Indian Railways suffered its third successive defeat to finish sixth and last in the tournament, losing to Akari Sparks (Philippines) 86-56.

Sichuan’s record and the competition

The win takes Sichuan into its second final in three WBLA editions. The Chinese side last won the title in the inaugural edition in 2024, which was held at the Phoenix Hill Sports Park in Chengdu, China from 26 to 28 September. The 2026 Women’s Basketball League Asia is the third edition of the premier Asian women’s basketball club competition organised by FIBA Asia. The tournament will be held at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru from 20 to 25 October 2026.

What happens next

Sichuan Yuanda Meile will play Denso Iris in the final on Sunday at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru.

Semifinal and fifth-sixth place results

Related on Apex Sports News

• FIBA Women's Basketball League Asia tips off in Bengaluru with Railways as India's first entrant

Sources

• Sportstar

• The Hindu

• Photo: John Mac, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)