The first edition of the FIBA Women’s Basketball League Asia (WBL Asia) is set to feature four of Asia’s top women’s basketball teams, competing from September 26-28 in Chengdu, China. The competition will see powerhouse clubs from China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Indonesia go head-to-head in a single round-robin tournament.
Host team Sichuan Yuanda Meile Basketball Club will be joined by Japan’s Fujitsu Red Wave (WJBL champions), Chinese Taipei’s Cathay Life (WSBL champions), and Indonesia’s Surabaya Fever. These teams will battle for the honor of being crowned the first-ever WBL Asia champions. The team with the best overall record at the end of the competition will claim the title.
This inaugural tournament marks a significant milestone in the development of women’s basketball across the continent. FIBA’s WBL Asia is part of its broader “Women in Basketball” strategy, which aims to raise the visibility and elevate the level of women’s basketball by providing a platform for elite club teams to compete at the highest level.
Despite the presence of talented Filipino players, no Philippine team will participate in this year’s tournament. The absence is attributed to the lack of an established women’s basketball league in the country, which hampers the selection of a club team to represent the Philippines in the regional tournament.
One of the tournament’s highlights will be Xu Han of Sichuan Yuanda, the reigning TISSOT MVP from the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. Xu Han is expected to make a significant impact as she leads her team on home soil.
Another standout is Yuki Miyazawa of Japan’s Fujitsu Red Wave, a veteran who has been a key player for the national team since 2013. Miyazawa has won four consecutive Women’s Asia Cup titles and is set to play a critical role for her team in Chengdu. The Red Wave, coming off a dominant season in the WJBL, will be eager to solidify their place as Asia’s elite in women’s basketball.
Additionally, Japan national team member Rui Machida will assume the lead guard role for Fujitsu, bringing her extensive international experience to the tournament.
