GUANGZHOU, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The Guangdong Southern Tigers survived a late scare to overcome the Guangzhou Loong Lions 90-80 in the first round of the Chinese Basketball Association playoffs on Sunday, winning the best-of-three series 2-1 to reach the quarterfinals.

Guangdong led by 11 points entering the final quarter, but Lindell Wigginton scored seven quick points to trim the deficit to four with five minutes remaining. Cui Yongxi then hit a crucial 3-pointer and Xu Jie followed with a basket to put the game out of reach.

The Southern Tigers led 23-20 after the first quarter and 52-47 at halftime. Wigginton's 3-pointer cut the gap to one in the third period, but Hu Mingxuan responded with six straight points to restore a 70-63 Guangdong advantage heading into the final quarter.

Tahjere McCall led Guangdong with 24 points, while Wigginton poured in a game-high 43 for Guangzhou.

"It was a very tough series for us. We underperformed in Game 1, and we were on the verge of elimination. But after that, we united as one," Guangdong coach Du Feng said.

Also on Sunday, Keyontae Johnson scored 27 points as the Shandong Heroes cruised past the Liaoning Flying Leopards 98-82, winning that series 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinals. ■