On the evening of March 21, the 2026 Guangdong City Basketball League (YueBA) kicked off at Guangzhou's Tianhe Gymnasium, with Zhongshan traveling to face the home side, Guangzhou. Despite trailing for most of the game, Zhongshan mounted a dramatic late comeback to secure an 86-83 victory.
Guangzhou started strongly, taking a 31-23 lead in the first quarter, with their early offensive pressure giving them an advantage. Zhongshan struggled initially but gradually settled into the game. In the second quarter, Guangzhou continued to attack the paint, briefly extending their lead. Zhongshan, taking advantage of Guangzhou's fouls, kept the deficit close through free throws and fast-paced play, outscoring the hosts 23-17 in the quarter to trail by just two points at halftime, 48-46.
After the break, both teams battled aggressively in the paint. Guangzhou made substitutions and hit two three-pointers, maintaining a narrow lead. Zhongshan combined inside and outside play to stay in contention, with the third quarter ending tied at 66-64.
The fourth quarter saw intense back-and-forth action. Guangzhou maintained offensive efficiency and appeared on the verge of victory, but Zhongshan's persistent defense forced turnovers and enabled a last-minute surge to take the lead. The game ended 86-83 in favor of Zhongshan.
This year's “YueBA” features participation from all 21 cities across Guangdong, with 378 athletes competing in a total of 125 games, running from March through August. The tournament is split into eastern and western divisions along the Pearl River, emphasizing grassroots participation and local talent. Current and former CBA (top-tier professional basketball league in China) and NBL (second-tier) players are not allowed to participate.
Player ages range from 16 to 40, including college students and amateur enthusiasts.
The first round continues on March 22, with teams from Chaozhou, Qingyuan, Shenzhen, and other cities hosting matches across the province.
Reporter: Zeng Xiangxing
Cameraman: Guo Hongda
Video: Zeng Xiangxing
Poster: Zeng Xiangxing
