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Mike Chan

Local students at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) said they need to play “fast and smart”, and be able to utilise their style on the court when they compete at the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) this summer.
One of the six newcomers in the regional university basketball league, local champions CUHK will pit themselves against teams from China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, the Philippines and Australia, when the tournament runs from August 2 to 9 in Hangzhou.
Forward Yip Mau-shing admitted the coming experience was rare in Hong Kong, and is looking forward to the challenges.
“We only played certain teams in Hong Kong and never had the chance to compete against higher-level opponents,” said the 19-year-old, who was named the Final MVP (Most Valuable Player) at the local intercollegiate cup when they dethroned the University of Hong Kong (HKU) with a 74-72 win in April.
“So I want to know if there is a huge gap between us and them, or if we could still be competitive. We will likely be the underdogs, especially physically. Let’s see what we can develop in the coming training, and learn to play faster and smarter.”
First-year guard Kevin Choi Ho-tung said it is important for CUHK to play their style despite the potential differences with their opponents.

“I watched how HKU performed last year, so we’re mentally prepared about what might be coming our way,” the physical education student said. “It is a great opportunity to meet top athletes from the countries nearby, and I see this as a learning opportunity.
“I want to face a Japanese team because we all know how good their guards are. I want to play against them and experience our differences from [up] close. Could it be speed, stamina, or shooting?”
Choi, who represented the city’s under-22 team at the National Games last November, added that he “feels less pressure” this time and hoped to enjoy the experience as much as possible on and off the court.
But for team captain Luo Haoyuan, the returning AUBL could be a special trip, especially if CUHK are drawn against his former university Peking University.
Luo, who came to Hong Kong last year and is set to complete his master’s degree in physical education this summer, said it would feel special for him to play against his previous university, where he played for five years as a key member.
“I did not play in the inaugural AUBL [last August] because the matches clashed with my graduation, and I was not expecting to play when I first came to study in Hong Kong,” said Luo, who holds a sociology degree from Peking University. “I felt people are passionate about basketball here but they often have to practice from 9pm to 11pm due to work commitments, that does not happen in China.
“We also practised a lot more in Beijing, it’s three hours a day, plus weight training every other day, so we are talking about 20 to 30 hours each week, whereas it is two days a week, and roughly four to six hours per week only here.
“So in China, we could train on fundamental items as a team to correct our moves and actions, but it is all on the player himself to push for additional training. I believe we can be a better team if we could train like we did in China.”

CUHK, together with five other new teams, Korea University, Waseda University, the University of Sydney, University of the Philippines and the National University of Mongolia, will take on the likes of Tsinghua University, Yonsei University and reigning champions National Chengchi University at Binjiang Gymnasium in the 12-team tournament in two months.
Led by Blue Pool Capital, the family office of Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai, the AUBL concluded its Series A funding round, typically used to generate cash for development and expansion, in early April. The funding was built on the Alibaba Group co-founder’s seed investment in May last year. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post and Tsai is chairman of the board.
Ex-NBA star Yao Ming also invested in the AUBL in the funding round, marking his first involvement in the game since selling all his shares in the Shanghai Sharks, which he bought in 2009 before becoming the president of the Chinese Basketball Association in 2017. The 45-year-old left that role in October 2024


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CBA (Chinese Basketball Association)

Hong Kong students vowing to play ‘fast and smart’ during AUBL tournament in China

The Chinese University of Hong Kong students (from left) Yip Mau-shing, Luo Haoyuan, and Kevin Choi. Photo: Handout

HANGZHOU, CHINA - AUGUST 18: Ryan Chak #10 of The University Of Hong Kong competes for the ball with Cui Yang #20 of Tsinghua University during the Game Day 1 of Asian University Basketball League between The University Of Hong Kong and Tsinghua University at Binjiang Gymnasium on August 18, 2025 in Hangzhou, China. (Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images)

Yao Ming (right) is one of the investors in the Asian University Basketball League. Photo: Getty Images

Ex-NBA star Yao Ming ‘proud to support’ Asian University Basketball League with investment

Yao Ming, here at the final of the AUBL, has made his first investment in the game since selling all his shares in the Shanghai Sharks. Photo: Getty Images

The University of Hong Kong took part in the AUBL, but left without winning a game. Photo: AUBL

Taiwan’s National Chengchi University team were crowned the first AUBL winners last August. Photo: handout

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Roberto Losada, here before taking charge against Guangdong last December, is the city team’s new permanent head coach. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong captain Yue Tze-nam (left) takes on his opposite number Khürelbaataryn Tsend-Ayuush. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Sport

Basketball

China

One of the six newcomers in the university basketball league, Chinese University of Hong Kong will compete in the 12-team event this summer


One of the six newcomers in the university basketball league, Chinese University of Hong Kong will compete in the 12-team event this summer.


Joe Tsai

Asian University Basketball League

Peking University

Hong Kong students vowing to play ‘fast and smart’ during AUBL tournament in China

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}One of the six newcomers in the university basketball league, Chinese University of Hong Kong will compete in the 12-team event this summer

One of the six newcomers in the university basketball league, Chinese University of Hong Kong will compete in the 12-team event this summer