CHN – Fourth quarter flourish sees Guangdong take fourth successive championship

BEIJING (CBA) - Guangdong Tigers unleashed a 26-19 fourth quarter fury to beat Xinjiang Flying Tigers 103-93 in Game 6 of the CBA Finals on Wednesday and clinch their fourth successive CBA Championship.

Guangdong had taken a 3-2 lead with back-to-back wins in Game 4 and Game 5 after losing Game 3.

Xinjiang had won Game 1 of the best-of-seven Finals and Guangdong bounced back to level the series winning Game 2.

Guangdong trailed through the first three quarters of Game 6 and entered the final frame down 77-74.

But the fourth quarter – at which time only one import is allowed on the court – saw Guangdong assert their superiority of a better local line-up.

They reeled off the first nine points of the period and seized control of the proceedings for good, going on to win their seventh title in eight years.

Guangdong had completed a three-peat in 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06. They lost to Bayi Rockets in the 2006-07 Finals before reclaiming their crown in 2007-08 beating Liaoning Hunters.

Subsequently, Guangdong have won all their Finals against Xinjiang – winning by identical 4-1 margins in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Marcus Haislip led Guangdong with a game-high 35 points, hitting seven of three-pointers.

Lester Hudson added 17 points and handed out six assists.

Wang Shipeng (left in combo picture) had a dozen points to take his Finals scoring average to 16 points per game. He was named the series MVP.

Quincy Douby, the most expensive player to have played the CBA, continued his dazzling show with 35 points of his own, but failed to cap his season with a title.

Douby played a leading role to help Xinjiang rake up a league-best 31-1 record in the regular season.

James Singleton added 20 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, but the contribution from their local players proved inadequate for Xinjiang.

Mengke Bateer was held to just nine points.

“It’ s the hardest season for us, in which we ran up against all kinds of troubles,” said Guangdong head coach Li Chunjiang.

“Thanks to all the people who support us, especially those dear fans. Finally, we made it through.”

FIBA Asia