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, 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.