The 12 top university teams pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

The Asian University Basketball League, or AUBL, opened on Aug 18 in Binjiang district, Hangzhou, bringing together a dozen top university teams from China, Japan and South Korea for a week of high-level competition.

Organized by the Asian University Sports Federation, or AUSF, the inaugural AUBL will crown its first-ever champion after 24 games played under the latest rules of the International Basketball Federation — with group and knockout stages showcasing both intensity and young energy.

Powerhouse teams include Yonsei University and Konkuk University from South Korea, Nippon Sport Science University and Hakuoh University from Japan, National Chengchi University from Taiwan and the University of Hong Kong.

Then there's the leading Chinese teams such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University and Taiyuan University of Technology.

Players from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (in white) and Yonsei University (in blue) compete during the opening match. [Photo/WeChat account: ttbs2012]

On opening day, Shanghai Jiao Tong University fell just short in a thriller against Yonsei University, losing 72-74.

Yonsei guard Lee Hae-song drained seven three-pointers and scored 21 points to earn MVP honors, praising both the competitive spirit of his opponents and the enthusiastic support of local fans.

AUSF President Liu Lixin said the launch of AUBL marked "a new journey for Asian university basketball" — highlighting not only athletic excellence, but also cultural exchanges and educational growth.

A Zhejiang University player (in blue) goes for a slam dunk. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]