CBA berth available for keen NBL teams

The possibility of a berth in the CBA should inspire the teams to fight even harder during the 2013 National Basketball League season, which tips off on May 26.

The new NBL season should draw fierce competition and huge exposure this summer as one of the 10 clubs will be promoted to the higher-level CBA after the two-month season ends in July.

A team's final result will count heavily in the overall promotion assessment, which also includes the club's home stadium facilities, previous record and reserve team development, according to the CBA.

"The results are important, but that is not the only standard. We will also evaluate the club's hardware and software conditions," Li Jinsheng, deputy director of the national basketball administrative center said on Tuesday.

Entering the CBA will no doubt attract more media and sponsorship interest for the successful team from the second-tier league, which has been waiting for the CBA door to open since its inception 2009.

Boasting consistent performances and support from their local governments and businesses, Sichuan Whale, Jiangsu Tongxi and Changsha Snow Wolf are among the favorites to advance to the CBA.

"Our goal this year is to try to fight our way into the CBA," said Sun Qikai, general manager of Changsha.

"We will increase our financial investment this year by several million yuan in the hopes of a successful result."

Two-time league champion (2010 and 2011) Jiangsu has its sights set firmly on the CBA as well.

"From the results of previous seasons, Tongxi deserves to qualify for the CBA," said Jiangsu's owner, Chen Guangxin. "We are not a nursing home for CBA veterans - we are well known for our youth development system."

Tongxi was the only NBL team to see its junior squad make it to the top eight at the CBA-dominated national youth championships in 2011.

The 2013 season opener will be staged at Changsha's Central South University Stadium on May 26 with the host, Snow Wolf, playing Guangzhou Liusui.

During the six-week regular season, 10 teams will play against each other, home-and-away, for eight playoff berths. The finals will begin on July 7.

The quarterfinals and semifinals will be played in a best-of-three format while the finals will be best-of-five.

Each team is allowed to sign one foreign player, who must be younger than 30.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 05/17/2013 page24)