Bulldogs claim Unigames hoop crown

THE NATIONAL University Bulldogs claimed the championship in the men’s basketball tournament of the 17th Sandugo-University Games without breaking a sweat after their supposed opponents, the University of the East Red Warriors, forfeited the championship game in lieu of the 4th Asian University Men’s Basketball Championship (AUMBC) in Taiwan.

The Red Warriors upset the reigning UniGames and UAAP champions, Ateneo Blue Eagles, 68-65, in the semifinals late Saturday night but opted not to play in the finals as they were set to compete in the aforementioned tournament slated for Oct. 30 until Nov. 4 in Taipei.

This forced tournament organizers to declare the Bulldogs as champions, claiming their second title in three years after winning the 2010 edition of the competition.

NU defeated Adamson University, 67-66, in the semifinals the other day.

Angered by the development, tournament officials stripped UE of its second place trophy.

Instead, Ateneo, which defeated Adamson, 58-56, in the supposed battle-for-third place match, was declared the second placers. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio