Latest news with #WorldUniversityBasketballSeries
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong college basketball system puts local teams at disadvantage, needs revamp: coach
Hong Kong's intercollegiate system needs an overhaul if the city's teams are to compete on an even footing against foreign teams, said the University of Hong Kong (HKU) men's team head coach, as they gear up for the Asian University Basketball League this week. James Chan Yik-lun said that while playing overseas in tournaments of higher standards could only bring positives, the 'extremely short' local season meant that Hong Kong college teams were underdone when they played against foreign opposition. This was shown starkly last week when HKU, the reigning local intercollegiate champions, flew to Tokyo for the three-day World University Basketball Series and came away last Monday with two landslide losses in as many days. HKU first fell 98-31 to the Japan University Select Team, before being humbled 102-48 by Taiwan's National Chengchi University. Chan, who guided his team to their title in April, said playing few games over the season was one reason for the heavy losses. HKU head coach James Chan (right) giving instructions to his players. Photo: Gym Aesthetics / WUBS HKU, who are are preparing to compete in the inaugural AUBL in Hangzhou, played only eight competitive matches – winning seven – over the entire season from last November to April, including beating Lingnan University 73-68 in the final at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai to clinch their title.
GMA Network
11-08-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Mike Phillips-led comeback not enough as La Salle bows to Korea University in WUBS finals
Mike Phillips spearheaded a huge fourth-quarter rally for De La Salle University, but Korea University held them off to eke out a 95-85 win in the World University Basketball Series (WUBS) finals on Monday in Japan. The Green Archers erased a 27-point deficit by unleashing a strong second half outing before losing steam in the endgame as they were dethroned by the Koreans. Korea University, meanwhile, completed its redemption bid against the same team that toppled them in last year's edition, where the Green Archers swept the entire tournament to reign supreme. ?La Salle once stared at a 27-point hole when Junhwi Seok sank a layup that sent the Koreans to a 55-28 lead in the second quarter, before they ended the first half enjoying a 57-35 cushion. The Taft crew, though, managed to keep up with Korea University after Jacob Cortez opened the fourth period with a 5-0 personal run while Phillips converted back-to-back baskets to further trim the gap to just 14, 63-77, halfway through the frame. Kean Baclaan then completed a three-point play before Phillips cleaned up his own miss, 72-88. The graduating big man split his free throws before unloading a two-handed slam off his own steal to make it a 79-91 deficit in the final 1:12. But Korea University displayed resilience to close out the game even after a last-gasp triple from Cortez. Phillips posted 30 points in the losing effort while backcourt gunners Baclaan and Cortez chipped in 18 and 13 markers apiece. —Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News
