In the sweltering summer of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, the stage was set — 12 university teams from across Asia gathered for the inaugural Asian University Basketball League (AUBL).
For these young athletes, the scoreboard mattered, but it was the courage to compete, the resilience to bounce back, and the thrill of the game that defined them. There could be only one champion — and this year, that title belongs to Chengchi University in Taiwan.
Head coach Chen Tzu-wei described Sunday's 82-79 final win against Tsinghua University as "a thrilling contest, with both teams giving their all".
He added: "It is an honor to be part of this inaugural AUBL tournament and to give our team such a memorable night. This championship is important recognition."
Chengchi's team, now in its eighth year, was backed by a strong crowd of alumni who cheered from the stands.
Yet for Chen, the tournament meant more than the trophy.
"One of our main goals was exchanging ideas among players and coaches — a rare and valuable opportunity that will help basketball in Asia and allow this event to grow," Chen said.
He also praised the tournament's organization, saying the hospitality left a lasting impression.
"From the moment we landed, every need was taken care of by the organizers," he said. "It was deeply touching to be part of this. We must cherish this opportunity and hope this tournament continues, with more schools joining in so that every university can experience the magic of this stage."
Tsinghua University, a dominant force in Chinese university basketball, staged two consecutive comeback victories and pushed Chengchi to the final moments, a mere three points separating the two at the end.
Head coach Chen Lei said that while missing out on the championship was regrettable, he was proud of his team's grit.
"Our players fought hard until the very last moment despite being behind. Their performance was excellent," he said.
"Through this tournament, they also identified areas where they can improve, which will make our future training more focused. Chengchi University's team structure and operation are close to professional level. We have a lot to learn from them, and I hope we will have more opportunities to play against each other in the future."
Among the surprises of the tournament was Etugen University from Mongolia, the undisputed dark horse of the competition. Founded in 2013, it has grown into a domestic powerhouse but remains largely unknown internationally. That changed in Hangzhou.
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It narrowly lost to Chengchi University in overtime during the group stage, and once again fell to the same opponent in a hard-fought semifinal. In the third-place playoff, it was edged out by Japan's formidable Hakuoh University, finishing fourth overall.
Usukhbayar Otgonbayar, 23, reflected on the team's journey: "Both games against Chengchi University were fiercely contested. Both sides wanted to win badly, but we made some crucial mistakes at key moments, and that cost us the game," he said.
"But it's okay — we will come back stronger, we'll prepare ourselves, and we'll be ready to fight again," he said.
Otgonbayar praised the level of competition. "Every opponent was very strong. It was an honor to be part of a tournament like this," he said.
'New experience'
Li Jintian, CEO of the AUBL, said the league was created to fill a gap in the landscape of Asian sports. While campus leagues have been developing rapidly in various countries and regions, there has been no regional competition dedicated to university teams, and little opportunity for international exchange.
"We saw this as both an opportunity and a chance for something remarkable," he said. "Building an international platform for exchange makes a lot of sense. From the fans' perspective, people will also look forward to an annual event where teams can compete and determine the strongest university team in Asia."
This year's tournament showcased intense matchups and diverse styles.
"It's a clash between universities, but it also reflects each school's culture, which makes it wonderfully diverse," Li said. "The level of play was also very high — many of these student-athletes may one day enter professional leagues."
Ticket sales were strong, and many young families attended. "Our audience spans all ages who love basketball," Li said.
Hangzhou was chosen as the host city for the first edition because its international influence and economic vitality provided fertile ground for a new league, according to Li. The venue's size and location were also well suited for the competition, and players heaped praise on the facilities.
Sanctioned by the Asian University Sports Federation, this year's AUBL was a seven-day tournament format. In 2026, the league will transition to a full home-and-away season spanning six months, culminating in a Final Four championship.
"I hope this tournament will one day become a symbol of Asian basketball culture," Li said. "It should represent passion and purity — a platform for high-level competition and exchange."
The intensity didn't stop at the court, either.
Music, lighting, giant screens and a vibrant cheerleading squad transformed the venue into a full cultural showcase. "Our theme is a stage for the youth — both on and off the court, we want to present the trends and culture of young people today," Li said.
Among the cheerleaders was Chen Yushan, a PhD student in new energy materials at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
In a lab coat, she conducts experiments; on the court, she leads the cheers with infectious energy.
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Dancing has always been her outlet for stress. "Most of our team members are students. We started training over two months ago in order to deliver our best performance," she said.
Her school's team was knocked out in the semifinal, but she still cheered for them. "Watching from the sidelines was so exciting. The players' energy was infectious," she said. "Being both a spectator and a participant at the same time was a whole new experience."
Away from the arena, players explored Hangzhou — some strolled around West Lake, others watched the Binjiang night lights.
Rivals became friends, sharing their passion for the sport, creating unforgettable summer memories and writing a new chapter for Asian university basketball.
