Despite the absence of key players, Australian Liz Cambage (due to a severe knee injury sustained in Game 4) and American Arike Ogunbowale (suspended), and facing a hostile crowd of 8,000 fans, the Sichuan team defeated Shanxi 74-65 in Game 5 to clinch the championship series 3-2. American player Natasha Howard was instrumental, scoring 22 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
This championship marks Sichuan’s third title in the WCBA, following victories in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, reinforcing the club’s position as the dominant force in the league this decade.
Frédéric Dusart shared his thoughts on the team’s achievement via social media:
“This has been the craziest, toughest, most interesting, and most unforgettable basketball season of my life so far,” he wrote. “Ten and a half months in China, away from my family, my wife, my children. Ten and a half months of surprises, joy, sorrow, laughter, tears, and cultural discovery. We competed in four tournaments: WCBA Champion, Chinese Championship Winner, Chinese National Games Finalist, and Club Cup Finalist.”
He also added:
“Returning to France.”
