NU Bulldogs win Sandugo Unigames men’s basketball title by forfeit

MANILA, Philippines—National University didn’t even break a sweat, clinching the 2012 Sandugo Unigames men’s basketball title by forfeit after its opponent in the finale flew out of Bacolod City due to prior engagement Sunday.

The Bulldogs brought home their second title in the last three years, as University of the East forfeited the anticipated finals match and left for Taipei for another caging tournament.

The Red Warriors will represent the country in the fourth Asian University Men’s Basketball Championship   (AUMBC), which starts on October 30.

But even after UE dethroned erstwhile-champion Ateneo and barged into the finals, the tournament organizers opted to give the silver medal to the winner of the supposed battle-for-third.

The Blue Eagles, composed of mostly players from team B, salvaged the silver medal after squeezing past Adamson Falcons, 58-56.

Juami Tiongson lit up for downtown with six treys, but it was a game-winning jumper from Kiefer Ravena that settled the score for Ateneo.

Adamson settled for the bronze medal, as has its counterpart in the women’s division, which defeated Lyceum of the Philippines, 69-54, in the battle for third.

UAAP champions Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, meanwhile, claimed the women’s hoops title after escaping the Lady Bulldogs, 57-54.