Chongqing’s newly launched urban basketball super league delivered another tightly contested matchup on Saturday night, as the Jiulongpo district representative team battled Nan’an to a 74-74 draw in the 渝BA (Rendition BA) invitational opener at the 296 Wen Sports Village venue.
The game, which tipped off at 7:30 p.m. Local time, marked Jiulongpo’s first home appearance in the 2026 Chongqing City Basketball Super League preseason series. Both teams entered the contest following recent player recruitment drives, with Jiulongpo having opened its tryout process in early March for residents aged 16 to 55 meeting specific local eligibility criteria.
From the opening tip, Jiulongpo asserted early pressure, scoring the game’s first basket and energizing the home crowd. The district’s squad, composed of local workers, students, and longtime residents who satisfied either household registration, property ownership, or social service contribution requirements, demonstrated cohesive ball movement throughout the first half.
Nan’an, however, answered with sustained offensive bursts of their own, keeping the margin within single digits for much of the opening period. The back-and-forth nature of the contest intensified after halftime, with neither team able to establish a lead greater than six points in the final 12 minutes of regulation.
With the score tied at 72-72 entering the final minute, Jiulongpo missed a potential go-ahead layup before Nan’an failed to convert on the ensuing possession. A defensive stop by the home team led to one last opportunity, but a contested jumper at the buzzer rimmed out, preserving the deadlock.
Postgame, Jiulongpo’s head coach emphasized the value of such preseason contests in evaluating roster combinations ahead of the league’s official May commencement. “This game was an important test of our player rotations and tactical execution,” the coach stated, according to on-site reporting. “We have a mix of experienced veterans and emerging talent, and we’ll use what we learned here to refine our approach before the regular season.”
The draw leaves both teams with identical records in the invitational standings as they continue preparations for the league’s formal launch. Jiulongpo is scheduled to participate in additional preseason exhibitions before opening regular season play in early May, with specific dates and opponents yet to be confirmed through official league channels.
For global basketball fans following the growth of China’s municipal sports leagues, the 渝BA represents Chongqing’s latest effort to expand competitive basketball opportunities at the community level. The league’s structure, which pits districts against one another in a home-and-away format, aims to foster local engagement whereas providing a platform for non-professional athletes to compete in organized, high-intensity games.
As the invitational series progresses, attention will turn to how teams like Jiulongpo adjust their strategies based on early results. The 74-74 outcome underscores the competitive balance expected throughout the league, where geographic pride and community representation appear to be driving factors alongside athletic performance.
Fans seeking updates on Jiulongpo’s preparations and the broader 渝BA schedule can monitor official announcements from the Chongqing City Basketball Association, which oversees league operations and team eligibility verification.
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