Denso Iris Women opened their FIBA Women’s Basketball League Asia campaign with an 86-78 victory over Cathay Life Women on Saturday night, using a balanced scoring attack and a decisive fourth-quarter run to close out a tough, physical contest.

The Japanese side led for most of the night but had to survive a spirited third-quarter surge from their Taiwanese opponents. Denso Iris answered with timely three-point shooting and a strong finish at the rim, improving to 1-0 in the competition and serving notice that they intend to be a factor in the FIBA Women’s Basketball League Asia standings.

Match overview

Denso Iris set the tone early with aggressive pick-and-roll offense and extra possessions on the offensive glass. They led 24-18 after the first quarter and 45-37 at halftime, with Cathay Life struggling to contain dribble penetration. The third quarter changed the mood: Cathay Life opened with a 10-2 run, forced turnovers, and briefly cut the deficit to one point. Denso Iris steadied late in the period and carried a 64-61 lead into the fourth, where a 12-2 burst put the game out of reach.

• Quarter scores: Denso Iris 24-21-19-22 — 86; Cathay Life 18-19-24-17 — 78
• Field-goal shooting: Denso Iris 48%, Cathay Life 42%
• Three-point shooting: Denso Iris 10-of-24, Cathay Life 8-of-27
• Rebounds: Denso Iris 41, Cathay Life 35

Key moments

The defining stretch came midway through the fourth quarter. With Denso Iris clinging to a three-point lead, Mai Yamamoto hit a pull-up three, then found Aika Hirahara on a short roll for an and-one. That sequence sparked a 12-2 run that turned a tense 68-65 advantage into an 80-67 cushion with under four minutes remaining. Cathay Life refused to fade quietly and trimmed the gap to six on a corner three from Lin Yu-Ting, but Denso Iris converted six free throws in the final 90 seconds to seal the result.

Tactical story

Denso Iris won this game in the paint and at the free-throw line. Their guards consistently beat Cathay Life’s first line of defense, forcing help rotations that opened up offensive rebounds and kick-out threes. Denso finished with 18 second-chance points and attempted 24 free throws, a reflection of their willingness to attack the basket. Cathay Life’s zone defense slowed the game in the third quarter, but Denso adjusted by stationing Hirahara at the high post and using quick ball reversals to create open looks.

Standout players

Mai Yamamoto led Denso Iris with 22 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, controlling tempo in the final period. Aika Hirahara added 18 points and 11 rebounds, while guard Rina Kato contributed 14 points and three steals. For Cathay Life, Lin Yu-Ting scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Chen Wei-An added 14 points off the bench. Cathay’s late push was built on defensive energy, but they were outscored 22-17 in the fourth quarter.

Season impact

The win gives Denso Iris early momentum in a competitive league format where point differential and head-to-head results can shape the standings. Cathay Life leave with a respectable road performance but will need cleaner possessions late in games. Denso Iris next face a quick turnaround, while Cathay Life will look to tighten their half-court defense before their next fixture.