Sichuan Yuanda Meile opens the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball League Asia on October 20. FIBA's October 16 preview introduces Chennedy Carter's scoring, Sara Blicavs' size and shooting, and veteran Gao Song's outside ability and rebounding. The inaugural champion seeks a second title, opening against Cathay Life Tigers, reinforced by two overseas players.
Two group games, with a reinforced first opponent too
The six-team event runs October 20–25 in Bengaluru, India. The teams play in two three-team round-robin groups. The top two in each group reach the crossover semi-finals on October 24, when the third-placed teams also contest fifth place. The final is on October 25. Sichuan shares Group A with Cathay and the Philippines' Akari Sparks. Both group games tip off at 18:30 China Standard Time (UTC+8).
| Date (China Standard Time, UTC+8) | Tipoff | Matchup | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 20 | 18:30 | Sichuan Yuanda Meile—Cathay Life Tigers | Group A game |
| October 22 | 18:30 | Akari Sparks—Sichuan Yuanda Meile | Group A game |
Cathay enters for the third straight year after finishing runner-up in 2024 and fifth in 2025. Alongside young center Hsiao Yu-wen, it adds New Zealand international Penina Davidson and internationally experienced Shelby Cheslek. FIBA's Hsiao profile lists 13.9 points and 11.2 rebounds in the 2025–26 WSBL. The opener thus combines an existing domestic rebounding anchor with new international experience.
Wildcard Akari makes its debut. With only two games per team, Sichuan needs early wins; one win can still leave all three at 1–1, so places await final standings.
Scoring support beyond Carter
Carter averaged 29 points for AlUla in the 2025 event, including 45 points, eleven rebounds and six assists against Busan BNK. Named a player to watch, she brings that scoring experience to new teammates. The same team preview argues that she received little support beyond Queen Egbo last year. Sichuan also brings in Blicavs this time, giving Carter another experienced teammate.
Blicavs played for Shandong in the WCBA. FIBA highlights size, shooting and international experience, including Australia's 2025 Asia Cup gold and 2022 World Cup bronze. Blicavs' and Gao's shooting offers alternatives to Carter.
Gao's recent Sichuan work combines scoring and rebounding: FIBA lists 12.8 points and 8.6 rebounds in 2025–26. In August's national championship final she had 23 and fourteen in an 81–75 win over Shandong. She can shoot from outside and uses her size and positioning to compete for rebounds. FIBA also describes the choice her shooting presents to defenders: an aggressive closeout leaves space to attack, while giving her room risks a three-pointer.
Sichuan won all three games in the inaugural 2024 event, beating Fujitsu Red Wave 74–69 in the last. Guangdong represented China and won in 2025; Sichuan now seeks its second.
