CBA Cup First Semifinal Matchup Set: Shanghai vs Shandong — Lofton Posts 31/7/11, Completing a Three-Game Sweep Over Guangdong as Their Nemesis

On February 6 (Beijing time), the CBA Club Cup quarterfinals delivered a high-intensity showdown as defending champions Shanghai faced off against Guangdong. Shanghai found themselves in an early hole, trailing 2–13, but quickly steadied the ship behind the inside-outside combination of Lofton and Fogg. Their surge flipped the momentum, allowing Shanghai to build a 13-point lead. Guangdong responded with trademark resilience, clawing back to within just two points, but Shanghai’s superior depth and execution proved decisive down the stretch. A strong team-oriented attack in the final quarter pushed the lead beyond 15 points. Despite Quinn hitting consecutive three-pointers to spark a late rally, Guangdong could not close the gap, and Shanghai sealed a 113–104 victory, completing a third straight win over Guangdong this season and advancing to the semifinals, where they will face Shandong.

For Guangdong, Quinn delivered a spectacular all-around performance with six three-pointers for 37 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks. Sumner added 26 points and four assists, while Huang Mingyi chipped in 10 points. Shanghai’s balanced offense was led by Lofton, who posted 31 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists. Whiteside dominated the paint with 14 points and 12 rebounds, Ma Diankang scored 15 points, Wang Zhelin added 10, and Fogg knocked down four three-pointers on his way to 18 points.

The star of the game was undoubtedly Lofton. His near triple-double performance, combined with Fogg’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc, powered Shanghai’s comeback and set the tone for their march into the Cup semifinals.

Several notable absences shaped the matchup. Shanghai players Zhang Zhenlin and Li Hongquan, along with Guangdong’s Hu Mingxuan, Xu Jie, and Jiao Boqiao, were all unavailable due to their commitments with the national team training camp. Veteran Liu Zheng also missed the game while preparing for upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Cui Yongxi continued to sit out the Cup and is expected to return in the second stage of the CBA season. Injuries sidelined Guangdong foreign player McCall and Shanghai guard Li Tianrong, while Guangdong’s big man Salinger was named to the roster but neither practiced nor appeared in the game.

The opening quarter saw Guangdong come out firing. Wang Shaojie scored on a drive and rejected Whiteside at the rim, while Quinn added a powerful dunk as Guangdong raced to an 11-point lead. Shanghai answered through Lofton’s three-pointer and a flurry of transition attacks. After Wang Shaojie suffered a facial injury and exited for treatment, Shanghai seized control with efficient shooting. By the end of the first quarter, Shanghai had turned the deficit into a 26–23 lead, fueled by Fogg’s perfect shooting stretch and Lofton’s playmaking.

In the second quarter, the battle tightened. Huang Mingyi hit an early three, and Sumner’s scoring burst brought Guangdong level. Shanghai countered with interior finishes from Wang Zhelin and timely perimeter shots. Lofton’s three-point play late in the half helped Shanghai carry a 51–47 advantage into halftime, with their three-point efficiency clearly outpacing Guangdong’s.

After the break, Shanghai raised the tempo. Lofton continued to orchestrate the offense, combining scoring with precise passing, while Whiteside punished the rim with multiple dunks. Guangdong mounted a strong response behind Quinn and Sumner, trimming the margin to just two points during a 10–0 run. However, Shanghai regained control through relentless interior pressure and timely outside shooting, closing the third quarter ahead 83–72.

The final quarter began with Ma Diankang drilling a three to reassert Shanghai’s dominance. Guangdong made several pushes, with Quinn repeatedly attacking the basket and connecting from deep, but every surge was met with a Shanghai answer. Lofton capped the night by leading a decisive 9–0 run that stretched the lead to 16 points, effectively ending the contest. With the outcome decided, both teams rotated out their starters, and Shanghai comfortably closed out the win.

With this victory, Shanghai advances to the semifinals to face Shandong, carrying strong momentum and confidence as they continue their pursuit of another Cup title.