The Guangdong Southern Tigers have raised the stakes ahead of their do-or-die Game 3 against the Beijing Ducks in the CBA quarterfinals on May 12. According to Beijing journalist Jia Lei, the team has promised its players a bonus of 2 million yuan (approximately $2.8 million) for a victory.
Guangdong boss Chen Haitao has long believed in the adage “heavy rewards breed brave men.” After the team’s dramatic Game 2 win, he immediately doubled the win bonus in the locker room. Now, with the squad traveling to Beijing for the crucial matchup, he has increased the reward again, sending a clear message: leave everything on the court.
The series is tied 1-1. Game 2 was a classic, with Zhang Haojia hitting a buzzer-beating three-pointer to seal a 102-99 victory. However, the team remains the underdog on paper. Without an outstanding performance from import player Quinn, Guangdong might have been eliminated already. The team urgently needs more local players to step up.
Beijing head coach Xu Limin said before the game that his team will focus on limiting Guangdong’s Quinn and local star Hu Mingxuan. Guangdong coach Du Feng repeatedly stressed the need to fight hard and stay humble.
The rivalry between these two powerhouses, with a combined 14 CBA titles, guarantees high drama. Despite having superior talent, Beijing made several mistakes in Game 2, including limited use of McGee in regulation, causing Zhou Qi to fatigue in the fourth quarter. The coaching staff’s handling of foreign players also drew criticism. Guangdong, meanwhile, is playing with their backs against the wall, relying on desperation and perimeter shooting to compensate for a weaker inside game.
Who will prevail in this winner-take-all showdown?