Bulldogs rule inaugural Milo 3on3 tournament

MANILA, Philippines - Relying on skillful play and a strong determination to win, the National University Bulldogs proved too much for the Far Eastern University Tamaraws as they copped the championship title of the inaugural Milo 3in1 3on3 Warrior Championship at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

The tournament, which coincided with the recent launch of Milo 3in1 for Adults, also featured star cagers from Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas and University of the East. The NU Bulldogs, FEU Tamaraws and the UE Red Warriors comprised Group 1 while the UP Maroons, UST Growling Tigers and the Ateneo Blue Eagles comprised Group 2.

Featuring a single round-robin elimination format, the top two teams of each group moved into the crossover knockout semifinals wherein the top-ranked team of Group 1 faced the second-ranked team of Group 2 and the top-ranked team of Group 2 faced the second ranked team of Group 1.

At the end of the eliminations, NU topped Group 1 when it disposed of UE 19-17, and FEU, 29-25. Joining NU in the semifinal was FEU, which bested winless UE, 24-19. In Group 2 action, UST emerged on top when it defeated UP, 33-20, and Ateneo, 28-26. Ateneo barged into the semis when it beat UP, 20-17.

In semifinal action, Paul Sanga displayed precise and relentless shooting to help FEU beat UST team, 33-19. The Tigers went straight to the Blue Eagle Gym from Leyte, where they saw action in the Philippine Collegiate Championship League. In the other semifinal contest, NU narrowly escaped Ateneo, 18-16, to book its championship slot.  

Joseph Hermosisima and Cameroonians Joseph Nlepe and Emmanuel Mbe outplayed the FEU trio of Paul Sanga, RR Garcia and Reil Cervantes 20-14 to remain unbeaten in the tournament. Nlepe was the finals top scorer, putting in 8 markers. “Team work and our intense desire to win helped us win the title,” says Hermosisima. NU Bulldogs coach Jeff Napa thanked MILO for the fantastic support and for giving players much valued exposure and experience.

You can catch the championship action on December 20 on Studio 23 from 6-6:30p.m. For more details on MILO 3in1 for Adults, log on to www.milo.com.ph.