In a thrilling display of resilience and strategic execution, the Beijing Ducks have punched their ticket to the CBA semifinals. On Tuesday, the Ducks staged a commanding comeback at home, defeating the Guangdong Southern Tigers 88-73 to secure the quarterfinal series victory with a 2-1 edge.
The match began as a struggle for Beijing, who found themselves trailing by double digits early on. The Southern Tigers seemed to have the upper hand, with Du Runwang extending the visiting team's lead to 32-22 during the second quarter. However, the momentum shifted violently in Beijing's favor during a decisive 18-0 run late in the second period, a stretch that left Guangdong reeling and unable to regain their rhythm for the remainder of the contest.
Central to Beijing's success was an all-around masterclass from Eugene German, who recorded a triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, alongside three steals. He was complemented by the interior dominance of Zhou Qi, who bounced back from a tough second game to contribute 18 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks, effectively anchoring the defense on the Chinese mainland's premier basketball stage.
Despite the loss, Guangdong's Trevelin Queen led all scorers with 25 points, though his impact was limited by a difficult night from the three-point line, where he missed eight of his nine attempts. For the 11-time CBA champions, the defeat marks a disappointing end to their season in the round of eight.
Reflecting on the victory, Beijing head coach Xu Limin attributed the win to the team's mental fortitude and preparation. "We overcame ourselves and the pressure, showed our true level and won the game," Xu stated, noting that the team's diligent review of Game 2 footage and a renewed sense of confidence were pivotal to their success.
The Beijing Ducks now turn their attention to the Shanghai Sharks. Game 1 of their best-of-five semifinal series is scheduled for this Friday in Shanghai, where the Ducks will look to carry this momentum forward into the next round of the playoffs.
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Beijing Ducks defeat Guangdong Southern Tigers to reach CBA semifinals
cgtn.com
