Taiwan’s National Chengchi University (NCCU) secured the championship in the inaugural Asian University Basketball League. The tournament brought together 12 top university teams from across Asia for a thrilling week of competition. NCCU defeated Beijing’s Tsinghua University in a closely contested final, finishing 82-79 on Sunday.
During the group stage, NCCU quickly established dominance by winning both games. This strong start allowed them to advance comfortably to the final eight. In the knockout rounds, NCCU overcame challenges from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Mongolia’s Ertugen University to reach the championship match.
The final pitted NCCU against a tough Tsinghua squad, which finished third in this year’s Chinese University Basketball League. The game opened with intense back-and-forth action. Toward the end of the first quarter, NCCU’s captain hit crucial shots, giving his team a 24-20 lead.
In the second quarter, NCCU continued to build momentum, especially with impressive three-point shooting. Consequently, they pulled ahead by double digits. However, Tsinghua fought back fiercely and managed to lead 49-46 at halftime.
After the break, NCCU scored seven straight points to push the lead to 60-52. Yet, they soon faced a scoring drought and entered the fourth quarter trailing 59-61. At this point, the game’s tension heightened significantly.
In the final quarter, NCCU’s captain led an electrifying 10-0 run, helping create a 15-point cushion. Though Tsinghua narrowed the gap near the end, NCCU held on to win 82-79.
The captain finished with an outstanding 29 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Another key player also contributed significantly, adding 20 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Plans are already underway to expand the Asian University Basketball League. Organizers hope to increase the number of teams to 16 next year and possibly include regional competitions beyond the host city, Hangzhou, China.
Overall, NCCU’s triumph highlights their status as a perennial powerhouse in Asian university basketball. Their success sets a high bar for future tournaments in the Asian University Basketball League.
