The reigning champions of the National Basketball League (NBL), the Hong Kong Bulls, continued their strong performance this season. On Thursday (17th), they played at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai for the Back to Back home game, where they took on the struggling Guangxi Weizhuang, defeating them decisively with a score of 124 to 80, marking their fourth consecutive win. The Bulls showcased exceptional team execution and offensive intensity, with six players scoring in double digits. Local star Yang Ruiqi (Ricky) made a significant impact, scoring 15 points in just 14 minutes, becoming one of the standout players of the match and driving the home crowd into a frenzy!
Looking back at the match, the Golden Bulls saw their two foreign players, Michael Ertel II and David James, maintain their hot streak, continuing as starters alongside local players Yang Wenxue, Tang Caiyu, and Sun Chenran, creating an efficient starting lineup. Although the Golden Bulls fell behind 0-3 at the start of the game, they quickly responded with an 8-0 run to turn the tide, significantly boosting the team’s morale and the atmosphere in the venue. The entire team amplified their lead through fast breaks and perimeter shooting, finishing the first quarter with a 27-17 advantage thanks to superb defense and transition offense. In just one quarter, the team nailed four three-pointers, with David James contributing two of them, along with 11 points, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds, showcasing an all-around performance that lifted the team’s spirit.
As the second quarter kicked off, the Taurus team maintained its relentless pace, scoring a 10-3 run within just two and a half minutes to extend the lead to 20 points, leaving Guangxi Weizhuang struggling to recover. Despite attempts from the opponents to change tactics and quicken the rhythm, Taurus solidified its overwhelming advantage through tough defense and a well-rounded offense, heading into the locker room with a 56-41 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Golden Bulls ramped up their rotation, sending out local heroes Ludu Wei, Yang Wenxue, Sun Chenran, Dong Jian, along with fan-favorite Ricky to unleash a dynamic on-court synergy. In the third quarter, they nailed an astounding 40-17 score, stretching their lead to 96-58 and sealing the victory once and for all. In the fourth quarter, the Golden Bulls’ coach made a point to field an all-local squad, and the young players didn’t shy away from the challenge, tightening their grip on both offense and defense against their opponents, ultimately maintaining a staggering 44-point advantage and securing a resounding victory!
In the entire match, the Golden Bulls scored 14 three-pointers, with six players achieving double-digit scoring. David James shone with a game-high 22 points, along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists, leading the team to maintain a high level of performance. Michael Ertel II contributed 18 points, while Chinese players Yang Wenxue and Lu Duwei each scored 16 points. American import Josh Carlton added 13 points to the team’s total. Notably, even with just 14 minutes on the court, Yang Zhong Ricky managed to score 15 points thanks to his calm shooting and excellent movement, including two three-pointers, further proving that Hong Kong players are gradually taking on more responsibilities on both offense and defense.
After the match, Ricky expressed in an interview: First of all, I want to express my gratitude to the coach and my teammates for their trust, which gives me immense confidence every time I step onto the field. This year, our team started collective training early, significantly improving both our tactics and teamwork. The atmosphere among us is fantastic, and playing at home feels especially exhilarating. The support from the fans really motivates us, pushing us to give our all every second of the game. I hope to help the team continue this winning streak and deliver great performances to all our supporters.
This match showcased the strength and depth of the team, with key foreign players, the core Chinese members, and promising rookies all stepping up to contribute. Riding high on a four-game winning streak, the team’s morale is soaring, and they are looking ahead to the upcoming schedule with the determination to continue improving and fully strive for defending their NBL championship title.
