CBA titlist Guangdong crowned at 11th National Games
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Leading scorer Zhu Fangyu snatched a total of 40 points to help CBA (Chinese Basketball Association)League titlist Guangdong upset host Shandong 81-76 to pocket the gold medal of men's basketball tournament at the 11th National Games on Wednesday.
Guangdong had swept all the eight matches during the 19-day tournament to achieve a best ever result, which was the CBA League titlist's first championship at the Chinese National Games since 1959.
Guangdong grabbed a 25-19 lead in the first quarter with the help from regular starter Zhu, who scored 9 points while Shandong team playmaker, former NBA player Menk Bateer notched 10 points.
Shandong launched a fightback in the second quarter to narrow the gap to 33-30, but Zhu continued his sharp attacks to stretch advantage for Guangdong, burying three 3-pointers to build the lead solid.
Zhu added another 21 points in the second half to obtain a game-high 40 points to secure the triumph for Guangdong as Shandong made an all-out effort in the final quarter to catch up yet failed to prevent the sour outcome.
"I have participated in the Games for three times and this time is my best shape", said Zhu after receiving the gold medal.
Guangdong has been the CBA League title holder for five times but they had never won a National Games title, with the best feat the runner-up in 2005.
"The championship means a lot for Guangdong as it is the top-level honor in China's men's basketball games", said Li Chunjiang, head coach of Guangdong team at the post-match press conference.
Gong Xiaobin, head coach of Shandong team, attributed the only defeat out of eight matches to the weak defense against the deadly shooter Zhu. "Our team have played their utmost but most of the player are too young to have enough experience", said Gong.
Despite the defeat, Shandong still created their history in the National Games as the match against Guangdong was their debut to play the final since China held the first edition of the National Games.
Yang Ming, Liu Xiangtao and Gu Liye, who joined Shandong from Liaoning men's basketball squad before the Games kicked off on October 16, contributed a total of 22 points for the team.
Gong praised highly of the three "outside assistants", saying that they had shown the required qualities for athletes on the court and they cooperated well with the other players.
At a previous match, defending champion PLA (People's Liberation Army) won the bronze medal after beating Jiangsu 103-94. PLA was eliminated by Guangdong in the semifinal on Tuesday.
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