Tahlia Tupaea in action this season.  Photo: Aaron Camua

FORMER Penrith Panthers junior and senior representative Tahlia Tupaea has guided the Bankstown Bruins women’s team into the grand final of the 2026 Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 East basketball competition.

Tupaea delivered a game-winning 24 points, 5 rebounds two assists and four steals as the Bruins rolled the BA Centre of Excellence 74-63 on Saturday night at the Bankstown Basketball Stadium in a preliminary final.

This will be the first the Bruins have reached the grand final since 2015, when they beat the Sutherland Sharks to complete an amazing run of winning 10 championships over 17 years.

Reigning premiers the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles also grabbed a spot in the women’s grand final, with a thrilling 99-97 win over minor premiers, the Norths Bears, on Saturday night at the North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre.

In the men’s division, the Norths Bears defeated the Central Coast Crusaders 94-80 and the Sutherland Sharks upset reigning champions and minor premiers the Illawarra Hawks 85-79.

Both grand finals are being held on Sunday 16 August at the Guzman y Gomez Stadium, 324-334 Terrigal Drive, Terrigal (women 12noon, men 3.30pm).