Many fans are still savoring Zhang Haojia’s game-winning three-pointer against the Beijing team, but the third game of the series is fast approaching. Scheduled for the evening of May 12 at Beijing’s home court, this decisive match will determine which team advances and which heads home. This morning, the Guangdong men’s basketball team set off for Beijing, with numerous fans gathering outside the club’s dormitory to see the players off.
Notably, Huang Mingyi, a 21-year-old who rarely saw action during the regular season, is traveling with the team. Coach Du Feng’s decision to bring this young prospect along for such a high-stakes playoff game has sparked curiosity about his intentions.
Guangdong’s biggest weakness remains their frontcourt. Shen Zanjie is a defensive liability, Rakocevic sees limited minutes, and Jiao Boqiao is unreliable—they have to rely heavily on Wang Shaojie. Huang Mingyi played only 11 games in the regular season, averaging just four minutes per game with little opportunity. He hasn’t even made the 12-man roster in the playoffs. Could Du Feng be planning to include Huang Mingyi this time? Standing at 2.07 meters with impressive athleticism, Huang might provide some defensive support.
It’s clear that Guangdong trails Beijing in overall strength. To win, they’ll need to fight hard. One of their foreign guards—either Quinn or McCall—must explode for 30 or 40 points. At least one of Hu Mingxuan or Xu Jie needs to score over 20. Players like Du Runwang and Zhang Haojia must maintain consistent three-point shooting. If they can meet all three conditions, Guangdong has a chance to beat Beijing. Defensively, they need to pay special attention to Zeng Fanbo—Beijing almost always wins when he plays well and loses when he struggles. They also must focus on guarding Jerome, Chen Yingjun, and Zhao Rui.
Guangdong’s players remain relaxed. Winning the second game essentially fulfilled their mission. They face minimal pressure in the third game—a win would be great, while a loss would be expected. The club’s owner, Mr. Chen, and his wife are traveling with the team to Beijing to cheer them on. Chen hasn’t put pressure on the players; instead, he’s offering encouragement. After beating Beijing in the second game, Chen awarded bonuses to the players. For the third game, he’s promised even higher bonuses. If Guangdong can eliminate Beijing and advance to the semifinals, Chen will reap massive ticket revenue, and the semifinals will be a five-game series.
On the evening of May 12, fans can look forward to another thrilling chapter in the Beijing-Guangdong rivalry.
