Former University of the East star Olan Omiping scored 17 of his 25 points in the payoff period as Philippine National Police scored an 81-73 come-from-behind win over Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission to boost its bid for an outright semis berth in the 7th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Meralco gym in Pasig City.
The PNP Responders started slow, trailing the Kamao in the first three quarters before the wily Omiping took matters into his own hands, outscoring the entire Kamao side with variety of shots in leading the team to its fifth straight win and seventh overall in 9 games.a
All told, the Responders tallied 30 points in the fourth, while holding the Kamao to just 13 points to put themselves in a position of clinching one of two outright semis berths.
The Kamao slipped to 6-2, their own bid for an automatic semis berth now depends in their game against league-leading Armed Forces of the Philippines next year.
The Cavaliers, backstopped by former Letran star Boyet Bautista and ABL veteran Harold Sta. Cruz, are sporting a 7-1 card in the event offering P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team.
Malacañang must beat AFP by 11 points or more to advance outright to the semis of the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon for public servants.
Meanwhile, defending champion Senate outlasted Judiciary, 64-63, thanks to the efforts of Harly Ng and Reynaldo Malaga Jr.
Ng and Malaga scored 13 and 11 points, respectively, to help the Defenders finish the second round with a 6-3 mark. Garri Sevilla and former PBA player Jeff Sanders combined for 21 points for the Defenders of coach Mike Fermin.
The league takes a break starting this week and resumes on Jan. 6.