The 2023 BLIA CUP University Basketball Tournament concluded on August 7th. Midwestern State University (MSU Texas) held onto their lead and defeated National Chengchi University with a score of 87-84, winning the men's group championship. Meanwhile, Shih Hsin University secured a 78-72 victory over the defending champions Nagoya Gakuin University in the women's group final.

The closing ceremony also attracted thousands of enthusiastic people who came together to bid a beautiful farewell to this international basketball tournament after a hiatus of 3 years, looking forward to meeting again next year. photo／The Life News Agency

New Zealand Basketball's women's team secured the third place in the women's group, while New Zealand Basketball Team's men's team also claimed the third place in the men's group.

The closing ceremony and award presentation took place after the conclusion of the men's division championship game. It began with the "Be the Light" performance by Guang Ming College 's cheerleading team, followed by speeches from the honored guests.

Honored guests attended the ceremony included Hou Tsun-yao, Director of the Sports Development Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government; Venerable Tzu Hui, Chairperson of Fo Guang University; Venerable Tzu Jung, BLIA World Headquarters Acting President;  President of Fo Guang Shan Compassion Foundation, Venerable Yi Lai; Venerable Hui Chuan, Executive Vice Abbot of Fo Guang Shan and Vice President of Three Acts of Goodness Sports Association; Venerable Yung Guang, Head Abbess of FGS Philippines and Vice President of Three Acts of Goodness Sports Association; Venerable Chueh Pei, BLIA World Headquarters Secretary General and Vice President of Three Acts of Goodness Sports Association; Liu Zhao Ming, president of Three Acts of Goodness Sports Association; Yang Chao-hsiang, President of Fo Guang Shan University Consortium; Jow-Fei Ho, president of Fo Guang University.

The closing ceremony also attracted thousands of enthusiastic people who came together to bid a beautiful farewell to this international basketball tournament after a hiatus of 3 years, looking forward to meeting again next year.

Hou Tsun-yao, Director of the Sports Development Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government, represented Kaohsiung City Mayor, Chen Chi-Mai, in showing his respect to the players' indomitable spirit and encouraged the athletes to shine like a beacon of light.

Liu Zhao Ming, president of Three Acts of Goodness Sports Association, expressed gratitude to the Kaohsiung City Government and the sponsors for their support, which allowed the tournament to conclude successfully. He also acknowledged that the BLIA Cup, founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun of Fo Guang Shan, could continue to promote the spirit of the Three Acts of Goodness.

Jow-Fei Ho, president of Fo Guang University, said that the BLIA Cup is a very exciting tournament. He expressed his gratitude to the organizers, co-organizers, audience, players, and everyone involved in the BLIA Cup.

Jow-Fei Ho, president of Fo Guang University spoke to the attendees. photo／The Life News Agency

Yang Chao-hsiang, President of Fo Guang Shan University Consortium, expressed gratitude to the Kaohsiung City Government for providing the Kaohsiung Arena, which has enhanced the quality of the basketball games.

Yang Chao-hsiang, President of Fo Guang Shan University Consortium spoke during the ceremony. photo／The Life News Agency

In the women's division's third-place match, the New Zealand Basketball Team defeated the University of Taipei with a score of 82-69, securing the third position.

Shih Hsin University secured a 78-72 victory over the defending champions Nagoya Gakuin University. photo／The Life News Agency

In the women's division final, Nagoya Gakuin University faced off against Shih Hsin University. The match was highly competitive, with both teams exchanging leads several times. In the end, Shih Hsin University secured a 78-72 victory over the defending champions Nagoya Gakuin University, winning the first-ever BLIA Cup championship in the team's history.

Coach Wang Xuan Yun of Shih Hsin University was extremely emotional with tears in her eyes. She stated that Shih Hsin University joined this year's BLIA Cup and only managed to assemble the players ten days before the competition. They did not set any specific goals but hoped to identify mistakes and correct them promptly. Winning the championship was an unexpected achievement, and she was deeply moved by the outcome.

In the men's division's third-place match, New Zealand Basketball Team beat Nagoya Gakuin University 80-52, achieving the third place in their debut at the BLIA CUP men's group competition. After the match, they excitedly performed a victory dance in the locker room. 

Midwestern State University (MSU Texas) held onto their lead and defeated National Chengchi University with a score of 87-84. photo／The Life News Agency

In the men's division final, Midwestern State University held on to their lead in the final seconds and defeated National Chengchi University by a margin of 3 points.

The perfect ending to the six-day BLIA Cup came with an exciting championship game between the unbeaten teams of NCCU and MSU Texas. MSU Texas, embodied the spirit of "Mustangs" and beat NCCU 87-84. MSU Texas' coach Justin Leslie, who led Pacific University of Oregon to won the BLIA Cup championship in 2018, once again to be a "champion coach."