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Melbourne United today became the NBL's most successful Preseason Blitz performer when it claimed the Loggins-Bruton Cup for the fourth time and returning former Cleveland Cavaliers forward Luke Travers was awarded the Ray Borner Medal as tournament MVP.

United saw off Illawarra in a spirited game at Bendigo's Red Energy Arena but it wasn't without a cost, recruit Sam Waardenburg - who has struggled with ankle injuries in the past - injuring his ankle and Shea Ili leaving the match prematurely with a lower leg complaint.

Already playing without new import Cole Anthony and returning Olympic star and NBA veteran Joe Ingles, United drew big games from Josh Oduro and Chris Goulding, with Travers adding a double-double of 13 points and 10 boards.

In his first game against his former club, Illawarra's match-winner over Adelaide, Milton Doyle, started in super fashion, his 19 points including 6-of-9 threes.

Since the Blitz's 2013 inauguration as the NBL's primary preseason event, Melbourne has claimed the Loggins-Bruton Cup in 2015, 2017 and 2023.

United won three quarters and the game - as it did previously when it beat Perth - to claim six of a possible seven points, giving it 12 for the series, one more than runner-up South East Melbourne which finished on 11.

In the Blitz's last game and effectively dead rubber, New Zealand held off Tasmania 96-86, both teams missing key players for this - if the TV callers are to be believed - very important clash.

Blitz #5

Melbourne United 103 (Oduro 22, Ili 17, Wilson 16, Goulding 14, Travers 13; Bowen, Wilson, Travers 10 rebs; Bowen 6 assts) d Illawarra Hawks 98 (Martin 20, Doyle 19, Hickey 14, Harvey 12; Hickey 8 rebs; Hickey 6 assts) at Red Energy Arena, Bendigo. Qtr-By-Qtr: 21-19, 30-25, 25-34, 27-20. Pts: Melbourne 6, Illawarra 1.

New Zealand Breakers 96 (Jackson-Cartwright 23, Te Rangi 18, Bediako 13, Vasiljevic 12; Bediako 10 rebs; Jackson-Cartwright 8 assts) d Tasmania JackJumpers 86 (Armstrong 17, Johnson 16, Deng, Marshall 13, Gold 11; Marshall 7 rebs; Armstrong 8 assts) at Red Energy Arena, Bendigo. Qtr-By-Qtr: 22-19, 26-30, 23-16, 25-21. Pts: NZ 6, Tasmania 1.

Final Loggins-Bruton Cup Table: Melbourne 12, South East Melbourne 11, Adelaide 8.5, Brisbane 8.5, Sydney 8, Cairns 7, New Zealand 6, Illawarra 5.5, Perth 2, Tasmania 1.5