2026 Asian University Basketball League tips off in Hangzhou

HANGZHOU, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The second edition of the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) tipped off at Binjiang Gymnasium in Hangzhou on Sunday, with Tsinghua University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Korea University all winning their group openers.

In the highlight match of the opening day, Tsinghua capitalized on a series of turnovers by the University of Sydney in the third quarter to pull away for an 87-65 victory. Xian Taicheng and Shi Kui led Tsinghua with 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Also on Sunday, Korea University edged Hakuoh University 80-76, Peking University cruised past the Chinese University of Hong Kong 101-59, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University held off the National University of Mongolia 61-53.

The nine-day tournament features a group stage followed by the knockout rounds and Final Four. The 12 participating teams are divided into four groups of three and will compete in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. The final is scheduled for Aug. 9.

Sanctioned by the Asian University Sports Federation (AUSF), the AUBL is a pan-regional intercollegiate basketball competition. The inaugural edition was held in Hangzhou last summer, with Chinese Taipei's Chengchi University claiming the title. ■