Zhejiang Guangsha Lions show the championship trophy to their fans at Zhejiang Huanglong Sports Centre Gymnasium on May 21. [Photo by Wang Jianlong for Tide News]

The Zhejiang Guangsha Lions claimed their first-ever CBA championship in their third appearance in the CBA Finals on May 20.

The Zhejiang provincial government issued a congratulatory message early the next morning, praising the team's perseverance and unity, and calling on sports professionals to further enhance the province's athletic development.

The message described the victory as a major inspiration for basketball in Zhejiang and encouraged athletes to take the province's sports sector to new heights.

Zhejiang's professional basketball history began in 1995 when the province first entered the CBA. Today, it joins Guangdong as one of only two provinces with three CBA teams. Over the past seven years, Zhejiang teams — namely the Guangsha Lions and the Zhejiang Golden Bulls — have reached the finals four times.

This championship marks the province's first professional title in either basketball or football.

Head Coach Wang Bo said the win has brought greater attention to basketball in Zhejiang and may inject long-term vitality into the sport's regional development.