The Qingdao Eagles secured their spot in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) playoffs quarterfinals with a decisive 103-91 victory over the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in Game 3 of the first-round playoffs. The high-stakes clash, held in Qingdao on Thursday, showcased the Eagles' dominance as they outplayed their opponents in front of a home crowd.
Qingdao's dynamic duo, Quinndary Weatherspoon and Yang Hansen, propelled the team with standout performances. Weatherspoon delivered a triple-double, tallying 24 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, and five steals, while Yang added 24 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. Their synergy on both ends of the court kept Zhejiang struggling to close the gap.
The Eagles surged ahead early, building a 24-13 first-quarter lead and stretching it to 21 points by the third quarter. Despite a late rally led by Zhejiang's Gabe York, who scored a game-high 28 points, the Golden Bulls' momentum faltered in the final quarter. York’s efforts were hampered by cold shooting from beyond the arc, and Yu Jiahao’s early fifth foul further destabilized Zhejiang’s lineup.
With under two minutes remaining, Weatherspoon and Yang sealed Qingdao’s victory, extending the lead to 101-83. The Eagles now face the Guangsha Lions, the CBA regular-season champions, in a highly anticipated quarterfinal matchup.
