The 2026 U21 National Men’s Basketball Championship kicked off with a highly anticipated clash between Guangdong and Beijing in Group A. With the CBA playoff series between these two powerhouses already tied 1-1, their youth teams delivered a thrilling preview. Beijing secured a commanding 94-69 victory, earning a decisive win in this junior edition of the classic rivalry.
In the opening quarter, both teams found their rhythm, with Beijing scoring 26 points to Guangdong’s 21, taking a five-point lead. The second quarter saw Beijing explode offensively, pouring in 30 points while holding Guangdong to just 19, stretching the lead to 16 points by halftime. After the break, Guangdong fought back, outscoring Beijing 19-12 in the third quarter to trim the deficit to nine points. However, Beijing responded emphatically in the final period, unleashing a 26-10 run to seal the blowout victory.
Although Guangdong fielded a strong lineup featuring CBA-experienced players like Yang Yi and Li Yizhen, Beijing’s starters dominated the scoring with a combined 88 points compared to Guangdong’s 39. This massive disparity in starting production proved too much for Guangdong to overcome.
The tournament features 22 teams divided into three groups. Guangdong’s Group A includes Beijing, Zhejiang, Changsha, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Tongxi, and Qingdao. While Guangdong relied on its young CBA talents, Beijing’s collective effort and balanced attack proved superior.
This youth-level contest carries extra significance as a precursor to the ongoing CBA playoff series between the two clubs. After splitting the first two games, the senior teams are preparing for a winner-take-all Game 3. Whether Guangdong can bounce back from this youth-team loss remains to be seen, but the message from the junior squad is clear: Beijing is ready for the challenge.
