The Shanghai Sharks have emerged victorious in the inaugural CBA Club Cup, defeating the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in a thrilling final held in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. Introduced as an independent cup competition during the breaks of the 2024-2025 CBA season, the tournament showcased intense matchups despite not affecting the regular season standings.
The final was a showcase of skill and determination, with both teams displaying exceptional performance. The first quarter was a defensive battle, with the Sharks managing only one field goal from open play. Shanghai trailed 13-16 at the end of the first period, thanks to Kenneth Lofton's flawless eight-for-eight free-throw performance.
In the second quarter, the Sharks found their rhythm offensively. Led by D.J. Wilson and Wang Zhelin, Shanghai launched a 13-3 scoring run, briefly taking the lead. However, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers mounted a comeback, securing a narrow 42-38 advantage by halftime.
The second half saw former NBA guard Eric Bledsoe take center stage, scoring an impressive 15 points in the third quarter and adding another 16 points in the final period. Bledsoe's consistent free-throw shooting, along with Lofton's contributions, helped the Sharks maintain their lead despite a strong push from Xinjiang's Abudushalamu Abudurexiti. The Sharks ultimately secured a nine-point victory, claiming the championship title.
Bledsoe, who led all scorers with 31 points, was named the MVP of the final. Reflecting on the game, the 35-year-old guard stated, \"Both teams played incredibly hard today, keeping the suspense alive until the very end. The coach placed a lot of trust in me during critical moments, and I seized the opportunity to achieve this victory alongside my teammates.\"
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
