In a thrilling matchup on Sunday night in Chengdu, the Sichuan Blue Whales stunned the Guangdong Southern Tigers with a 104-94 victory, marking their first win over the CBA giants in over seven years.
American guard Edmond Sumner led the charge for Sichuan, delivering an outstanding performance with 32 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Sumner’s explosive play was particularly evident in the third quarter, where he scored half of his points, helping the Blue Whales outscore the Southern Tigers 41-15.
Trailing 57-51 at halftime, Sichuan orchestrated a remarkable turnaround in the third quarter, transforming a six-point deficit into a commanding 20-point lead at 92-72. Their relentless defense played a crucial role, limiting Guangdong’s star guard Xu Jie to just two field goal attempts in the quarter. Despite Xu’s season-high 32 points, the Southern Tigers struggled without his usual offensive output during that pivotal period.
“He is very self-disciplined and sets a great example for our domestic players,” Sichuan’s head coach Han Shuo said about Sumner. “His attitude towards life, training, and the game is something young players can learn from.”
The victory snaps a seven-year drought against Guangdong for Sichuan, energizing home fans and signaling a potential shift in the CBA landscape. The Southern Tigers have now suffered two consecutive losses, raising questions about their form as the season progresses.
Reference(s):
Sichuan upset Guangdong with breakout rally in third quarter
cgtn.com
