Sichuan Blue Whales young center Xu Tao has won the Most Valuable Player award of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league All-Star Rookie Challenge on Saturday night in Donggua.

Xu led the Northern team with 20 points and impressive four shot blocks to demolish the team of the South 103-89. With the win, the North registered their first victory against the South in four years.

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"It's a victory of teamwork over an individual," said Xu. "We played strong defense with everyone's hardwork."

The 23-year-old center is 6 feet 11 and weighs 118 kg. He played for the University of San Francisco Dons of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division One in the United States from 2012 to 2014 and signed for the Sichuan Blue Whales on October 31, 2014.

The Blue Whales is currently one of the powerhouse teams in the CBA, they currently sits in the second spot of the league's team standings with 24 wins and 6 losses - one win behind the league leader Xinjiang Flying Tigers with a 25-5 record.

According to Xinhua, six players from the North scored double digits. However, Fu Hao of the Bayi Rockets made the game-high 30 points and contributed 13 rebounds for the South.

The two teams had a tight game in the first half. The North outscored the South 24-14 in the third quarter to set the tone.

Former Lakers point guard Sun Yue of the defending champion Beijing Ducks led the first round of the three-point shooting contest with 18 points shared by Meng Duo of DongGuan New Century Leopards. The other finalist is Zhao Tailong of the Fujian Sturgeons.

Beijing Duck's Fang Shuo and Zhou Zhandong of the Guandong Southern Tigers advanced to the technical challenge final.

Tang Hai of the Qingdao Double Star Eagles, Wang Tong of the Shanghai Sharks and Sun Minghui of the Zhejiang Lions will fight for the dunk title.

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