Yi Jianlian (R) of Guangdong makes every effort to fight for the ball under the hoop while the rival stretches arms in an attempt to intercept the pass in game the on Friday, Feb 23, 2007. [Photo: China Foto Press]

Guangdong, Jiangsu, Liaoning and Bayi clinched victories in the first games of the off-season in the Chinese Basketball Association that kicked off on Friday.

Yi Jianlian contributed 38 points and 10 rebounds and Wang Shipeng scored 29 to help defending champion Guangdong overcome visiting Shanghai 114-107 and gain an upper hand in the best-of-five quarterfinals.

Guangdong eased to finish the first quarter 34-25, while Shanghai took center stage by the second half, pulling to 49-all by the period's end.

Shanghai paid much attention to defense. However, their efforts proved insignificant as the sophisticated home side took command in the third quarter to reach 82-71 at the buzzer.

Shanghai players tried the best to minimize the gap to six points in the last quarter, but inadequate experience denied their final attempts for a revival before Guangdong pulled away.

In Nanjing, visiting Shandong failed to resist ambitious Jiangsu, led by an inspired Tang Zhengdong.

Tang sank 36 points with 14 rebounds for Jiangsu, who dominated the match from the beginning and won 128-116.

In other matches, last season's runner-up Bayi narrowly beat Zhejiang 86-82, while and Liaoning outlasted Fujian 89-81.

The second round of the quarterfinals will be played on Sunday.

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