CEBU, Philippines - Visiting Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers staged a walkout in a hotly contested championship match against Southwestern University Cobras in the 1st Mayor Lani Peña Cup basketball tournament at the Minglanilla Sports Complex.
The walkout happened in the final 31 seconds with the Bombers leading by three points, 66-63 against the Cobras. The match did not resume forcing the organizers to declare SWU the champions.
The controversy when SWU cager Daryl Goloran was ejected for attacking and throwing a punch to one of the vital cogs from the Heavy Bombers in a highly physical game.
This causes a bench-clearing as players from both teams rushed to the center of the court.
The players were calmed down and after the formal announcement from the table official that Goloran was banished, JRU coach and PBA legend Vergel Meneses, led his players into the center court and waved their hands then left the venue with some cheers of approval from their would-be temporary fans.
As the Heavy Bombers boarded their service bus, the Cobras left the court to receive their championship cash prize of P30,000.
Meneses explained to the referees that they did not finish the game for apprehensions that their players might be injured as this year's NCAA season is fast approaching.
The Heavy Bombers did not even dare to receive their second prize of P20,000 but it was turned over to them before they leave for Manila.
Earlier, the Raphael's Cafe upset the University of the Visayas Green Lancers Team B, 92-89 in overtime. (FREEMAN)