CUBA season tips off

BEIJING - The new season of the Chinese University Basketball Association (CUBA) competition tipped off on Saturday as Tsinghua University defeated Beijing Jiaotong University 80-67 at home in the opening game of men's tournament.

CUBA, entering its 13th edition this year, has seen an increase in entries and, for the first time, more than 100 teams will take part in the conference round this season.

The organizers say they have answered a nationwide call to allow more teams to advance from the preliminary round. There will be 16 men's teams and up to 12 women's squads advancing to the second round, compared with 10 apiece last year.