Liaoning Hunters returned the championship series after
nine-year break as it thrashed Jiangsu Dragons 109-74 on Friday in
the semifinal of the Chinese Basketball Association league (CBA) at
Yingkou, Liaoning Province.
The past powerhouse, which saw off former arch-rival Bayi Fubang
3-1 in the first round, won the semifinal series 3-1 to face
Guangdong Hongyuan in the finals, which set off on February 13
after Spring Festival.
Last time Liaoning entered the finals was in the 1998-99 season
when it lost to Bayi Rockets (former name of Bayi Fubang).
Bian Qiang had 24 points and Olumide Oyedeji adding 23 points
and 10 rebounds for Liaoning. Liu Xiangtao had 20 points.
The home team led from the very beginning and extended the gap
every quarter to prove a class better than its opponent.
Han Dejun, the deepest in the bench, was called up with 3:35
minutes left of the so-called decisive match, and the reserved
squad had the biggest lead of the game, 98-66.
Center Tang Zhengdong led Jiangsu by 21 points and nine rebounds
and Yang Li adding 18 points.
(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2008)