Guangdong came from behind to beat defending champion PLA 86-80 in the final of women's basketball event at the 13th Chinese National Games on Wednesday.
The PLA team, who took golds in the last eight National Games, beat Guangdong by three points through overtime in group stage. They successfully cornered Guangdong's centers Huang Hongpi and Wei Wei in the first half and headed into the second half with a lead of seven points.
Guangdong sank in two three-pointers just before the end of the third period to cut PLA's lead to only two points. PLA's turnovers increased in the final quarter while Guangdong's shooters finally managed to find the net. Guangdong turned the table, winning the final at 86-80.
Five Guangdong players reached double-figures while Huang Sijing took a match-high 24. Jin Jiabao led PLA with 20.
"PLA is a quite strong team." said Zheng Wei, Guangdong's head coach. "My players carried too much pressure in the beginning of the match, failed to perform their best. But what they did in the second half was perfect."
The bronze medal went to Shandong, who beat Shanghai 63-61.
