Dongguan's women's basketball team is on the brink of making history after securing a 90-83 victory over defending champions Sichuan in Game 2 of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) Finals on Tuesday. The road win gives Dongguan a 2-0 series lead, needing just one more victory to clinch their first title since 2018.
Five Dongguan players scored in double digits, led by sharpshooter Yang Shuyu’s 23 points. Veteran guard Yang Liwei contributed 20 points, including a crucial buzzer-beating three-pointer to close the third quarter. Foreign player Aliyah Collier added 18 points, while player-coach Huang Sijing – doubling as a leader on and off the court – chipped in 10 points and guided tactical adjustments.
Despite strong performances from Sichuan's trio of Jonquel Jones (31 points), Elizabeth Cambage, and Li Meng (16 points each), the reigning champions struggled to maintain composure in critical moments. \"One team looks like a team, and one team looks like individuals,\" Jones admitted post-game, vowing adjustments for Thursday's must-win Game 3 in Sichuan.
Dongguan's tactical discipline shone through in the fourth quarter, where they outscored Sichuan 20-14 despite trailing by one point entering the final period. Coach Huang emphasized mental resilience: \"We told our players to enjoy this stage and show their best – facing such strong opponents requires complete focus.\"
The series now shifts back to Sichuan’s home court on Thursday, where the champions will fight to extend the finals while Dongguan eyes their championship moment.
