Defending champions the Guangdong Southern Tigers breezed into the second round of the playoffs of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league after beating the Shanghai Sharks 3-0 on aggregate yesterday.

Center Yi Jianlian led Guangdong with 32 points and 17 rebounds for a 95-82 victory over Shanghai on the road to become the first team into the top four.

Jiangsu Dragons and Bayi Rockets were on the way to claim the other spots in the semi-finals with both teams leading 2-1 in the best-of-five matchup and the remaining two games to be played at home.

After losing the second game to the Shandong Lions, Jiangsu recovered for a 118-105 win, while Bayi edged off the Zhejiang Cyclones 106-93 in a hard-fought game.

Liaoning Hunters, who finished fourth in the regular season, are facing possible elimination at the hands of Fujian SBS, who have the advantage after a 91-81 win yesterday.

Without top foreign player Ernest Brown, citing a prolonged injury as the reason for his absence, the Hunters lost their power under the basket to lose two games in row in the series.

Game four will be played on Friday with Guangdong being rested for the winners.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2007)