Stephon Marbury (No.3) of the Beijing Ducks goes to the basket against the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the sixth game of the best-of-seven CBA final series in Urumqi, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Photo: CFP

 

 

March 30 proved lucky again for the Beijing Ducks as they secured their ­second CBA championship two years to the day after their first.

The 98-88 win on Sunday night against the Xinjiang Flying Tigers at Hongshan Arena in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, gave the capital-based club the 2013-14 CBA finals 4-2 on aggregate.

Randolph Morris was named the MVP of the finals. The 28-year-old averaged 23 points and 12 rebounds in the six games.

The Ducks' Sun Yue is the first ­Chinese basketball player to become a double championship winner, as he won the NBA championship when ­playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009.

"It is very lucky to win two championships, not everyone has such chances," Sun said.

"But this one obviously means more than the NBA one for me."

Coach Min Lulei paid tribute to his players for their win.

"It was so hard. These kids were so great," Min told reporters after getting emotional.

"I really appreciate my ­players' ­efforts. I admire them."

Speaking of veteran Stephon Marbury, Min was to the point.

"Is it necessary to say something to Laoma [Marbury]? He is the best."

The 37-year-old averaged 21.8 points this season, although he skipped most of the regular season due to a knee injury. His choice to play the playoffs without his left knee having fully recovered won a lot of praise from the fans.

"I just want to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ for getting me through 1 of the toughest years of my ­career," Marbury said on his Sina Weibo account.

"Winning the championship is great but building character as a team will ­prepare the future for the next generation to come. The Dynasty is now in ­motion," he wrote.

The defeated Cui Wanjun, Min's counterpart, said he has no regrets for this season.

"We tried our best, there's no pity," Cui told reporters after his side's home loss.

"Six years has seen Xinjiang step into the finals four times and semis twice, which proved this team are an excellent team. One day Xinjiang will claim a championship."

Global Times