Ateneo-Adamson unified squad beaten by HK 5

UAAP teams Ateneo and Adamson represented the Philippines as a unified squad in the 18th Super Kung Sheung Cup at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Hong Kong. But the combined forces of Eagles and Falcons known as the Blue Birds were simply outclassed by the Hong Kong national team, which humbled the visiting squad, 61-45. Four Adamson players joined UAAP Grand Slam titlist Ateneo in this international invitational event. The Falcons’ key players Lester Alvarez, Jan Colina, Eric Camson and Alex Nuyles were accommodated by the Eagles to shore up their roster. They joined Kirk Long, Nico Salva, Bacon Austria, Art dela Cruz, Oping Sumalinog, Frank Golla, JP Erram and Juami Tiongson. The Eagles were without Eric Salamat, Ryan Buenafe and Chris Monfort, three key players who had helped coach Norman Black’s team in completing a three-peat. But the Blue Birds visibly lacked team chemistry and were humbled by the Hong Kong nationals to settle for a fourth-place finish. The Southern California Fukienese Association ended up winning the title by beating China's Xin Cheng Holdings, 93-78, in the finals encounter. Ateneo earned the reward of representing the country in this event after successfully defending their Philippine Collegiate Champions League crown. The Blue Eagles beat Adamson in the best-of-three finals. The Filipino cagers opened the tournament by beating Thailand's national team, 83-63, then upstaged GCC of China, 78-73, to earn a semifinals berth. But the Pinoys suffered their first defeat to Xin Cheng Holdings, 80-72 before dropping a 91-85 setback at the hands of SCFA in the semis. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV