MANILA, Philippines—University of the East has issued an apology to the organizers of the 17th University Games following its no-show in the men’s basketball finals.
The Red Warriors were supposed to play National University in the championship game over the weekend but opted to pull out.
UE executive director for marketing Dr. Jesus T. Tanchanco Sr. and Department of Physical Education director Rodrigo Roque filed a written apology to UniGames president Roger Banzuela, explaining that the Red Warriors got into a scheduling conflict between the UniGames and the Asian University Basketball Federation in Taiwan.
UE flew to Taipei last Sunday, the same day the championship game versus NU was scheduled.
Red Warriors management exerted all efforts to book another flight to Taipei but failed.
“We in the UE community and the Red Warriors team have long had a high regard for the Unigames, as witness UE’s participation in its various tournaments through the years. Yet we also did not anticipate the overlapping of schedules of the Unigames and the AUBF this weekend,” said Tanchanco.
Tanchanco and Roque said UE, which will be facing a sanction from Banzuela, insisted that it has no intention of disrespecting the UniGames, NU, the other participating teams and the Bacolod basketball fans for ditching the championship game.
“We do wish that, this episode notwithstanding, the UE Red Warriors would be given the honor and privilege of participating in future Unigames basketball tournaments―for we shall always remain ardent aficionados and disciples of college basketball,” added Tanchanco.