MANILA, Philippines - Humingi ng paumanhin ang University of the East sa nag-organisa ng 17th University Games matapos hindi siputin ang kanilang championship game ng National University sa Bacolod City.
Nagsumite sina UE executive director for marketing Dr. Jesus T. Tanchanco Sr. at Department of Physical Education director Rodrigo Roque ng isang written apology kay UniGames president Roger Banzuela.
Ipinaliwanag nila ang dahilan kung bakit hindi naglaro ang Red Warriros sa kanilang title match ng Bulldogs para sa UniGames crown.
Kakatawanin ng Red Warriors ang bansa sa Asian University Basketball Federation (AUBF) championship at nakatakdang bumiyahe sa Taiwan noong Linggo.
“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,” sabi ni Tanchanco.
Sinabi naman ni Banzuela na may katapat na kaparusahan ang ginawa ng UE.
“There will be sanction and I will recommend suspension of the school,” wika ni Banzuela sa Red Warriors.
“Of course we will be waiting for the letter of explanation from UE before we can make any recommendation, but definitely, there will be sanction,” dagdag pa nito.
Bago sana labanan ang NU para sa gold medal round ay tinalo muna ng UE ang Ateneo, ang kampeon sa nakaraang UniGames, sa iskor na 68-65, sa kanilang semifinal match na idinaos sa University of St. La Salle-Bacolod Gym.
Ang hindi pagsipot ng Red Warriors sa kanilang finals game ng Bulldogs ang nagbigay sa NU ng titulo.