With the aim to unite the University campuses through “One Sports for National U,” the NU Athletics Office spearheaded the first Nationalian Friendship Games (NFG) 2023 Basketball Tournament last June 1-3 in the NU Main Campus Gymnasium.

The league was composed of 8 teams which were divided into two pools — Pools A and B. Manila, Nazareth, Fairview and Baliwag campuses comprised the Pool A while MOA, Dasmariñas, Laguna and Lipa completed Pool B.

At the end of the elimination round, the two leading teams from each pool faced each other to determine who will compete for the bragging rights of being the very first NFG Champion.

Fairview, Baliwag, Dasma and Lipa emerged from their respective brackets and battled for the semis. Both North campuses advanced to the finals in pursuit of the crown, but NU Baliwag dominated the rivalry after outplaying NU Fairview, 64-59.

NU Baliwag’s shooting guard, Yuri Pancho was hailed as the NFG’s Most Valuable Player after rendering an average of 18 points with 7 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1 block while their head coach Ramil Medina was recognized as the Coach of the year.

Pancho, a Bachelor of Physical Education student expressed his joy and mentioned that their months of training paid off. “Naging competitive and marami kaming nakalaban from different campuses, naka-experience kami ng galing ng iba’t ibang lugar”, he shared.

Alongside Pancho, third placer – NU Lipa’s John Laurence Escal, NU Dasma’s Ariel Diloy, John Lloyd Lorenzo of NU Fairview, and Bryan Agustin of NU Laguna composed the Mythical Five.

Sports is indeed one of the best ways to build camaraderie. It also demonstrates the oneness of an institution. Indeed, the Nationalian Friendship Games is a huge step in building the relationship among the NU community to strengthen the sportsmanship while trying to uphold the core values established by the esteemed institution.

The intercampus tournament will be preparatory to the National Tertiary Games as encouraged by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).