Phoenix and Sportiva Italiana Reached WBLA Final
The two teams secured their spots in the tournament championship after winning their respective semifinal matchups.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Basketball
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Phoenix and Sportiva Italiana have advanced to the WBLA final following victories in their respective semifinal games. Phoenix defeated CDC Leones 79-72, while Sportiva Italiana earned an 80-73 win against SESI Araraquara.
Why it matters
These results set the stage for a final showdown in the WBLA, with the winning teams now competing for the tournament title. Meanwhile, CDC Leones and SESI Araraquara are slated to face off in the upcoming bronze medal match.
Andrea Daley led Sportiva Italiana with 29 points, while Maisa Marcal scored 25 for SESI Araraquara in their 80-73 semifinal matchup. Phoenix topped CDC Leones 79-72 behind 17-point performances from both Rosemarie Julien and Alaiyah San Juan.
The players
Phoenix
This basketball team is one of the finalists in the WBLA tournament.
Sportiva Italiana
This organization is a basketball team that advanced to the WBLA championship match.
Andrea Daley
She is a key player for Sportiva Italiana who recorded 29 points during the semifinal game.
Maisa Marcal
She is a standout performer for SESI Araraquara who scored 25 points in the semifinal loss.
Macarena Retamales
She is a top scorer for CDC Leones who contributed 20 points during their semifinal matchup.
The details
Phoenix clinched their victory by forcing a decisive turnover with 4:36 remaining in the fourth quarter. Sportiva Italiana solidified their path to the final by executing an 8-0 scoring run spanning the third and fourth quarters.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: Sportiva Italiana defeated Phoenix 106-73 during the Group Phase.
October 3, 2026: The semifinal games took place to determine the final tournament bracket.
Season Trajectory
The WBLA final marks the culmination of a tournament cycle that began with the Group Phase matches. These semifinal results shift the competitive focus toward the championship game while relegating the remaining teams to the bronze medal contest.
Phoenix and Sportiva Italiana now occupy the top two spots in the tournament, securing their participation in the upcoming final. Meanwhile, SESI Araraquara and CDC Leones will compete for the bronze medal, concluding the tournament bracket.
The takeaway
The semifinal games demonstrate how late-game scoring runs and forced turnovers can dictate tournament outcomes. Fans should look for these performance trends to continue as the tournament progresses into the final and bronze medal rounds.
Further reading
For more information on the latest tournament standings, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Eurobasket LLC.
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