The Philippine National Police Responders inched closer to a seven-game sweep with yet another overpowering win even as the Department of Justice Boosters kept its playoff hopes alive in the 2nd UNTV Cup Executive Face-Off held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center.
Drawing an inspired game from Supt. Voltaire Garcia, the Responders clobbered the Senate Sentinels, 86-64, to stay unbeaten in the annual tournament for public servants.
As expected Joel de Mesa led the Responders with 21 points, but it was Garcia, who started the team’s decisive run with his splendid plays down low that saw him net 15 points and 15 boards in the tournament offering P1 million to the chosen charity of the champion team.
Also shining was Philip Phillips, who added 15 points as the Responders handed the Sentinels their second loss in five starts in the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon.
Equally impressive were the DOJ Boosters who stunned the defending champions Armed Forces of the Philippines Cavaliers, 77-69, for their second win in five games.
The Cavaliers’ defeat was their fourth straight in as many games, putting their playoff bid in peril.
In the other game, the Ombudsman Graftbusters moved up to solo second at 4-1 following a 62-42 drubbing of the GSIS Furies.
The top two finishers after the single-round elims will earn a twice-to-beat advantage when they play the No. 4 and No. 3 teams in the semis.