Ducks capture Chinese title

BEIJING (CBA/2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - Basketball is taking center stage in Beijing, China, again.

Nearly seven years after the country hosted the Olympics, the sport remains in the spotlight in the city following another title-run by the Beijing Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

For the third time in four years, Beijing have captured the CBA title, an achievement sealed with a 106-98 triumph over the Liaoning Hunters at the weekend.

The result clinched 4-2 series triumph in the Finals.

Zhai Xiaochuan, a member of the China side that competed at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship in Lithuania, poured in a game-high 27 points for Beijing.

A 2.09m forward who celebrates his 22nd birthday on Tuesday, Zhai hit five three-pointers in the game.

He is almost certain to be in China's preliminary squad for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

Beijing came in fourth place at the end of the regular season and many did not expect them to go all the way, but their 3-1 series triumph over Guangdong Tigers in the play-off semi-finals paved the way for another championship.

In that decisive Game 4 against Guangdong, Beijing prevailed 107-105 with Stephon Marbury pouring in 38 points.

After the title series, Marbury was named MVP.

He had 27 points, seven assists and five rebounds in Game 6.

Liaoning, who suffered their fifth defeat in a CBA Finals series, got 15 points from China point guard Guo Ailun.

FIBA