The third “Taiwan-US Cup Charity Basketball Friendship Invitational Tournament”, organized by the Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles (TACCLA), was held on May 11th at the gymnasium of Citrus College in Hille’s Community. Despite the strong competition put up by the three-team alliance of TACCLA-China Airlines-ROC Economics, the Tian Ren Ming Cha team emerged victorious with a score of 42:31, clinching the championship. The three-team alliance took home the runner-up title.
After the exciting preliminary rounds on April 28th, the battle for the third place saw ATeam Logistics facing off against the China Trust team. In a closely fought match, ATeam Logistics secured the third place with a score of 49:44, while China Trust graciously accepted the fourth place.
President of TACCLA, Yeh Yi-lan, expressed her gratitude for the support from various corporations and associations to make the third edition of the Taiwan-US Cup possible. Last year, the three-team alliance of TACCLA-China Airlines-ROC Economics claimed the championship title. Although they couldn’t defend their title this year, Yeh mentioned the opportunity for them to strive for it again next year. She highlighted that attending the games not only satisfies fans but also contributes towards charity. All ticket sales and proceeds from the charity auction, totaling $2,400, were donated to the “Care Mission USA” foundation to provide meals for the homeless.
Consul General Ji Qin-yao of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles expressed heartfelt appreciation to TACCLA for organizing the Taiwan-US Cup, drawing the participation of basketball enthusiasts. He hoped for continued support from Taiwanese businesses in Southern California for sports exchange activities to enhance Taiwan’s visibility.
Captain of the Tian Ren Ming Cha team, Huang Yu-liang, a basketball enthusiast since 1983, expressed his passion for the sport. He envisioned the establishment of a senior division for players over 60 to foster camaraderie. “We’re here to support the Taiwan-US Cup, our compatriots’ chamber of commerce, and businesses, all through the love of basketball,” he said. With his son, Huang Hsin-wei, and their team’s dedication to training, Tian Ren Ming Cha clinched the championship in their debut participation, promising a strong defense next year.
The overall coordinator and coach of the three-team alliance, Xu Ming-feng, reflected on the intense competition of all four teams in this year’s Taiwan-US Cup. He emphasized the spirit of competition and the ability to enhance cooperation through friendship. Looking ahead, he hoped to see more teams participating in the tournament next year.
Cheng Yu-lin, Regional Director and General Manager of China Airlines in the Americas, alongside the team, received the runner-up trophy. He shared the airline’s enduring support from the inaugural edition of the Taiwan-US Cup, delighted by the increasing number of participating teams. Cheng announced the upcoming launch of a new route from Seattle to Taiwan by China Airlines and encouraged ongoing support for the airline.
Captain Mike Wang of the ATeam Logistics team mentioned the team’s five-year history and regular practice schedule. Reflecting on their first challenge in the “Taiwan-US Cup”, Wang acknowledged the tough competition and strong performance of China Trust. He voiced the team’s determination to strive for success through hard work and aim to challenge for the championship next year.
Vice Executive Director Liu Jian-hong of Bank of China Trust USA, as team captain, led a spirited cheerleading squad, with colleagues actively engaging in community activities. Liu aimed to inspire more donations for the Care Mission USA foundation. He highlighted the presence of Bank of China Trust with 21 branches across the United States, including 14 in the greater Los Angeles area. ◇