Shanghai Jiao Tong University overturns 12-point deficit to clinch AUBL title

Shanghai Jiao Tong University rallied from 12 points down to beat defending champion Chengchi University of Taiwan 72-69 in the 2026 Asian University Basketball League final in Hangzhou on Tuesday.

Chengchi led for much of the game and held a 12-point advantage in the second quarter, but Shanghai steadily cut the deficit after halftime to tie the score in the closing stages. A string of Chengchi turnovers then gave Shanghaithe opening it needed to complete the comeback and claim a first AUBL title.

Shanghai guard Chen Tiancan was named tournament MVP after scoring 14 points and adding seven rebounds and five assists in the final, leading his team in all three categories.

Head coach Xu Yang said his Shanghai team had entered the tournament with a learning mindset, but its gradual improvement against Chengchi over their past two meetings had built confidence.

"Since we entered this league last year, we have played Chengchi three times," Xu said. "From suffering a heavy defeat, to losing by around 10 points in the group stage this year after fighting until the end, to today's hard-fought victory, the journey reflects the resilience and character of Shanghai Jiao Tong."

Xu said the team had faced doubts before the tournament.

"Not many people were optimistic about us," he said. "But, game-by-game, our players fought their way forward and gradually made people believe in us. More importantly, they learned to believe in themselves. Winning this championship is the best proof of that."

After the final buzzer sounded, one of Xu's players told him: "Coach, we fought for it. We finally made our dream come true."

A moment, Xu said, reminded him of Slam Dunk, the Japanese basketball manga and anime he watched as a child.

"I felt very proud," he said. "It is a special feeling to lead these students in such a good league and see them achieve something they had dreamed of."

The second AUBL was held from Aug 2-11 in Hangzhou, featuring 12 university teams. Six returned from last year's inaugural tournament, while six made their AUBL debuts, including university teams from the Philippines and Australia.

The teams were divided into four groups of three, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. The knockout stage began on Aug 6.

In the third-place game, Tokyo-based Waseda University defeated Beijing's Tsinghua University 98-91.

Sanctioned by the Asian University Sports Federation, the AUBL debuted in 2025 with a weeklong tournament in Hangzhou involving 12 university teams from across Asia.

The league is now set to expand into a full home-and-away season.

According to AUBL CEO and co-founder Li Jintian, 16 teams will compete across Asia when the league tips off again in November. It will run through April 2027, with the season culminating in a championship event modeled in part on the NCAA's March Madness.

Li said the league also aims to help young players continue playing basketball while pursuing higher education.

"I hope AUBL will help more young players avoid having to give up basketball when they reach the age of 12," Li said.

In many parts of Asia, he noted, young athletes reduce their involvement in sports as academic pressure increases, with basketball often seen as worthwhile only for those pursuing professional careers.

"Basketball and education should not be treated as a choice between the two," Li said. "If basketball can help young people grow, and AUBL can become a force that supports that growth, then it already has great value."