Blessing Ejiofor Helps DongGuan New Century Capture 2025 Women's Basketball League Asia Title

Blessing Ejiofor Helps DongGuan New Century Capture 2025 Women's Basketball League Asia Title

Although DongGuan were undefeated, with a 3-0 record, Ejiofor and company entered the second-ever WBL Asia final considered somewhat "underdogs" against high-scoring Fujitsu. Red Wave led the competition in points per game, free throws, assists, efficiency and ranked second in rebounds entering the matchup.

However, DongGuan's 2025 WBL Asia campaign countered with elite efficiency, ranking first in field goal percentage and rebounds, while also finishing second in three-point shooting and overall rating.

Ejiofor had been impactful all tournament, averaging 9.3 points, 11 rebounds and 2.3 steals entering the final. Her highlights included a 14-point outing with three steals in the opener against Ulaanbaatar, followed by 15 rebounds and four steals versus Cathay Life.

The championship game started as a seesaw battle, with DongGuan needing Ejiofor's defensive presence to stay level early. Her block on Kiho Miyashita sparked momentum, and Sijing Huang's three-pointer pushed DongGuan ahead 14-13 before Fujitsu reclaimed the lead.

Nonetheless, relentless drives from Shuyu Yang earned crucial free throws to give DongGuan an 18-16 edge at the end of the first quarter. Red Wave briefly took control early in the second, but Ejiofor's layup reignited DongGuan and sparked a 9-2 run.

That surge built into a commanding 41-27 halftime advantage as DongGuan closed the second quarter on a 12-5 surge. Ejiofor contributed with excellent passing vision and defense, despite occasional fouls, keeping her side firmly in control.

The forward's slick dime to Aliyah Collier in the third extended the cushion, while DongGuan continued to build momentum. Despite one offensive foul and turnover, Ejiofor regained rhythm with another bucket that kept Red Wave at arm's length (to say the very least).

By the fourth quarter, DongGuan's balanced attack proved overwhelming. Red Wave scored 25 points, their best quarter, but surrendered 29 on the other end. Shuyu Yang and company buried their Japanese opponents under a barrage of seven three-pointers to seal the championship.

Ejiofor capped the victory with seven points, seven rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal. Her performance in the final and throughout the tournament helped DongGuan clinch their first Women's Basketball League Asia championship, extending her own golden 2025 campaign following her win at AfroBasket Women 2025 in August.

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[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]