The Xinjiang Flying Tigers have secured their spot in the CBA Club Cup final after a convincing 105-89 victory over the Shanxi Loongs on Tuesday. The inaugural tournament’s final stage is underway in Xi’an, the capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province.
Robert Edwards, a recent addition to the Flying Tigers during the Lunar New Year break, led the team with 29 points, six rebounds, and five assists. The Shanxi Loongs’ standout, former NBA slam dunk champion Hamidou Diallo, scored a game-high 35 points in a valiant effort.
Xinjiang took an early lead, finishing the first quarter up by nine points. However, Shanxi fought back, tying the game at 54-54 by halftime. The momentum shifted in the third quarter when the Flying Tigers launched a decisive 13-2 run to regain a nine-point advantage, which they maintained until the final buzzer.
The CBA Club Cup features eight teams in a single-elimination format, with games consisting of four 10-minute quarters, shorter than the usual 12 minutes. Teams can field up to four overseas players per game, but only two can be on the court simultaneously, with a maximum of eight appearances throughout the tournament.
It’s important to note that the CBA Club Cup games do not affect the regular season standings, offering teams a chance to compete and showcase new talents without impacting their league positions.
The Flying Tigers now await the winner of the semifinal clash between the Beijing Ducks and the Shanghai Sharks, set for Wednesday. The championship game is scheduled for Saturday, promising an exciting finale to the tournament.
