BASKETBALL/NCCU Griffins win first Asian University Basketball League title
Taipei, Aug. 25 (CNA) The National Chengchi University (NCCU) Griffins, after dominating Taiwan's university men's basketball for five seasons, won the first Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) championship Sunday with an 82-79 victory over China's Tsinghua University in Hangzhou.
NCCU topped a 12-team field at Binjiang Gymnasium in Hangzhou, which also featured squads from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Mongolia. Griffins guard Sung Hsin-hao (宋昕澔) was named Finals MVP.
Sung, a senior, had a game-high 29 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, earning his third Player of the Game award in the seven-day tournament.

In the post-game press conference, Sung said the team executed the coaching staff's strategy well by keeping Tsinghua's key player in check.
Also named to the All-AUBL Team, Sung said his main focus is finishing his bachelor's degree and declined to comment when asked whether he plans to enter the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) draft in 2026.
The AUBL, certified by the Asian University Sports Federation and preceded by the 2024 Asian University Basketball Challenge, is the first pan-regional league for university teams across Asia.
The South China Morning Post quoted AUBL chief executive Jay Li (李錦天) as saying the league plans to expand next season, starting in late 2026, with 15 or 16 teams playing home-and-away matches.
"The beauty of college sports is that you don't necessarily know who the superstars are, but they're all very good and entertaining because they're hustlers. They care about the honor and the prize," Li was quoted as saying.
Taiwan basketball legend Lin Chih-chieh to retire after 2025-26 seasonTaipei Fubon Braves shooting guard Lin Chih-chieh (林志傑), widely recognized as the greatest player in Taiwanese basketball history, has confirmed his decision to hang up his jersey following the upcoming 2025-26 P.LEAGUE+ (PLG) season.10/03/2025 09:08 PM
Dwight Howard shouts out Taiwan in U.S. Basketball Hall of Fame speechRetired NBA superstar Dwight Howard gave Taiwan a special mention as he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Sunday.09/08/2025 02:10 PM
PLG adds new franchise, to keep four teams next seasonThe P.LEAGUE+ (PLG) announced Thursday it has approved a new franchise, ensuring the league maintains a four-team structure for the 2025-26 season after a failed attempt to cooperate with the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL).08/21/2025 04:07 PM
- Cross-Strait
China's 'unification benefits' hold no appeal for Taiwanese: MAC
10/25/2025 10:44 PM - Cross-Strait
Taiwan must rely on strength to secure peace: President Lai
10/25/2025 10:35 PM - Business
Trump wrong to have Taiwan chip on his shoulder: Tech writer
10/25/2025 09:38 PM - Society
Taiwan at least 3 months away from regaining ASF-free status: MOA
10/25/2025 09:23 PM - Business
Sentiment among manufacturers improves for 3rd straight month on AI boom
10/25/2025 08:59 PM


