Guangdong crowned ninth CBA championship

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After a narrow 103-98 win against Xinjiang on Friday night, the visiting Guangdong claimed the 2018-19 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season title with a four-game sweep to secure a ninth championship.

Guangdong's Yi Jianlian took his third Finals MVP trophy after pouring 37 points and 16 rebounds in game four and averaged 27.8 points along with 11.5 rebounds during the four CBA final games.

The 31-year-old veteran said all his efforts paid back after sinking into failure for the last six years, adding that the title means a lot to him as well as his team.

Guangdong's Yi Jianlian during the finals of the 2018-19 CBA. / VCG Photo

The big man grabbed 322 rebounds before the fourth game. Thanks to his 16 rebounds on Friday night, Yi has now surpassed former Guangdong basketball player Jason Dixon (335), ranking first among players with most rebounds in CBA Finals' history.

For Du Feng, who was awarded the annual best coach this season, it came as his first championship title as a head coach.

"The hard process can only be experienced by myself. As a player, I won the championship and FMVP for the first time in 2004. It is very different now, when you help a team to win the championship as a coach. In ups and downs, the team never gave up," Du said after the victory.

"Today's achievements are attributed to the efforts of the whole season. Thanks to all the opponents, they worked hard for this league, congratulations to everyone," Du added.