Veteran player Liu Yudong came off the bench and grabbed 11 points in the second quarter to give Bayi a 102-90 win over Shannxi in their third preseason China Basketball Association match. 

Bayi coach A Dijiang says Liu Yudong appears to be in good shape after undergoing two big knee operations, China Radio International reported on Sunday.

"It's been quite hard and Liu Yudong has been very lucky to recover like this, especially considering the length of the season. He is getting in shape, but it is unlikely he'll be in top form-- after all, he has gone through two big operations."

The 2004-05 CBA season is to start next Sunday; Liu Yudong is expected to help the Bayi Rockets through a tough time since Li Nan, another core player of the team, won't come back until January next year after an operation on his right elbow.

Liu Yudong was sidelined for a whole year due to a severe knee injury and was forced to see his team loose in the CBA finals last season. He announced his return in September, and this is believed to be his last season.

(CRI November 8, 2004)