CHENGDU (China) The inaugural Women's Basketball League Asia (WBL Asia) concluded with resounding success both on and off the court, as Sichuan Yuanda Meile emerged as the first-ever champions.
The competition was the first-ever women's basketball club competition organized by FIBA Asia.
Over three exciting game days, the tournament was filled with high-level competition, culminating in an excitement on September 28, where Sichuan defeated Fujitsu Red Wave from Japan, 74-69, in front of a packed crowd of 8,000 fans. This victory sealed Sichuan's perfect run, going undefeated through the competition, with Han Xu named MVP for her stellar performance.
This event wasn’t just a triumph for the champions but also for women's basketball across Asia. The final game alone drew an impressive cumulative 2.7 million live viewers across Chinese social media platforms, demonstrating the growing interest in the sport. The WBL Asia successfully showcased the high standard of talent in the region, solidifying the potential for women's basketball to command even larger audiences in the future.
The atmosphere in the Jinqiang International Event Center at the Phoenix Hill Sports Park was electric, fueled by Sichuan's loyal supporters who watched their team claim victory. Han Xu’s 24-point performance, alongside contributions from Gao Song and Wang Siyu, proved decisive as they withstood a strong challenge from Fujitsu, led by Akina Uchio and Yuki Miyazawa. The Japanese club battled valiantly but could not overcome Sichuan’s dominance.
Beyond the impressive statistics, the success of WBL Asia signals a new era for women’s basketball in the region. The significant attendance and viewership numbers underscore the growing appetite for the women’s game. With such a positive reception, the WBL Asia has laid a strong foundation for future competitions, aligning with FIBA's strategic priority of growing women's basketball worldwide.
As Sichuan celebrates their historic title and the fans relish in the success of this inaugural tournament, one thing is clear: women’s basketball in Asia is on the rise, and the future looks brighter than ever.
FIBA