Defending champions Bayi Rockets and runners-up Liaoning Hunters jumped to a strong start in the openers of the 1999-2000 season of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Sunday as the two dominated their rivals.

Bayi, who had beaten Liaoning every time in the four final series of the four-year-old league since 1996, outclassed Nanjing Army Bolts 124-87, while Liaoning crashed Hubei 122-59.

Center Wang Zhizhi collected 30 points and 11 rebounds in just 24 minutes and was 12-20 in the field to lead Bayi to set off their reigning tour.

The hot Bayi were .570 in the field and converted seven three- pointers out of 20 attempts, controlling the game from start to the end.

Liu Gang drilled in 30 points (14-18), seven boards, four assists and five steals to top Nanjing.

Liaoning virtually had won the game before the break as they held a 60-29 score line after the first half.

Reserve Stanford Anthony scored the game-high 28 points while teammate Wang Shouqiang added 19 with Liaoning's bench players contributed half of the total points.

Last season's MVP Sun Jun handled off a team efforts of Vanguard Aoshen as Jilin Northeast Tigers ousted Aoshen 106-101.

Sun scored 42 points, including two three-pointers, although four Aoshen players scored more than 20 points.

In Sunday's other matches, Shandong Flaming Bulls defeated Zhejiang Pegasus 90-79, Beijing Ducks edged out Shanghai Sharks 81- 80 and Guangdong Tigers beat Jiangsu Dragons 107-92. (Xinhua)