The Liaoning Flying Leopards began their quest for a fourth consecutive Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) title with a thrilling 123-112 victory over the Zhejiang Golden Bulls on Saturday in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province.
Before the tip-off, the Flying Leopards celebrated their triumph from last season, receiving championship rings and raising their fourth banner to the rafters. However, the Golden Bulls were not in a mood for celebrations as they came out firing, seizing a 33-31 lead after the first quarter thanks to a hot start from beyond the arc, hitting six of their first twelve three-point attempts.
Zhejiang intensified their offense in the second quarter with impressive runs of 6-0 and 8-2, pushing their advantage to nine points at halftime, leading 61-52. Gabriel York and Yu Jiahao powered the Golden Bulls, both scoring in double figures in the first half.
The Flying Leopards relied on the dynamic duo of Kyle Fogg and Marial Shayok, who combined for 37 points before the break to keep Liaoning within striking distance.
The third quarter saw a remarkable turnaround. Last season's CBA Finals MVP, Kyle Fogg, was unstoppable, spearheading a 42-21 surge that flipped the game on its head. By the end of the quarter, Liaoning had secured a 94-82 lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, the hosts extended their dominance with an 11-0 run, stretching their lead to 18 points at 107-89. Despite Zhejiang's Lu Wenbo sinking consecutive three-pointers in an attempt to spark a comeback, Fogg's relentless scoring ensured Liaoning maintained control.
The Golden Bulls mounted a final push as Wu Qian nailed a three-pointer and Paris Bass added a floater, trimming the deficit to seven points at 115-108. However, following a strategic timeout, Liaoning's Zhao Jiwei and Fogg each drained critical three-pointers, sealing the victory for the defending champions.
The Flying Leopards' triumphant start sets a strong tone for their campaign to secure a fifth overall CBA title. Zhejiang, despite the loss, showcased their potential as formidable contenders in the season ahead.
Reference(s):
Defending champions Liaoning beat Zhejiang 123-112 to open CBA season
cgtn.com
