A JAMPACKED Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor City, Cavite witnessed a heart-pounding triple header at the UNTV Cup Season 5 as the first-round elimination came to an end.
The AFP Cavaliers proved they still have their championship-caliber performance on the hard court after handing Malacanang Kamao their first defeat this season in a 72-67 win on Sunday.
For this, Cavaliers Head Coach Sonny Manucat has become even more confident in his wards.
“Unang una, I’m very proud of my boys. Sabi ko nga kontrapelo namin ang Malacanang. Pero at least, it’s high time na na-prove namin sa sarili namin, kami pa rin ‘yung defending champion,” Manucat said.
Both Wilfred Casulla Jr., who drilled 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, and Eugene Tan, who drained 11 markers, 7 boards and made 5 assists, were hailed as Best Players of the Game.
In the second game of the triple header, the BFP Firefighters extinguished the Ombudsman Graft Busters in a neck-and-neck battle, 80-73.
The Firefighters grabbed a 4-2 record, while the Graft Busters exit the league this season with a 2-4 slate.
Gilbert Malabanan and Jonathan Egea led the Firefighters and were both hailed as Best Players of the Game.
Meanwhile, the MMDA Black Wolves ripped the Senate Defenders’ chance to a victory this season as they pulled off a 76-71 win.
Black Wolves guards Peter John Villanueva and Ermel Idria were hailed as Best Players.
On Sunday, the UNTV Cup Season 5 second round elimination will commence, with the top four from each group battle onwards all the way to the semifinal round.
The Scores:
GAME 1:
MMDA Black Wolves (76)–P. Villanueva 19, J. Sanders 14, E. Idria 12, M. Guittap 12, H. Monzon 6, A. Olaya 4, J. Cardel 3, B. Panican 2, J. Decena 2, J. Fortu 2
Senate Defenders (71)– M. Legaspi 15, H. Ng 12, R. Malaga 11, E. Baltazar 11, R. Balboa 11, C. Andaya 6, E. Bacsal 5
QUARTER SCORES 21-17, 40-37, 49-47, 76-71
GAME 2:
BFP Firefighters (80)–G. Malabanan 20, J. Jayona 14, D. Macato 9, M. Adolfo 8, K. Amores 8, A. Lim 8, G. Botin 6, A. Cabais 3, R. Cartujano 2, J. Egea 2
Ombudsman Graft Busters (73)–R. Zagala 24, M. Caceres 23, M. Marcos 19, R. Castro 4, A. Lazo 2, R. Quilala 1, N. Alvarez 9, A. Dator 0,
QUARTER SCORES 21-19, 48-33, 66-50, 80-7
GAME 3:
AFP Cavaliers (72)–W. Casulla 14, J. Quiambao 12, E. Tan 11, R. Araneta 10, B. Bautista 10, W. Sergio 8, A Zuniga 3, P. Fernandez 2, I. San Estaban 2
Malacañang Kamao (67)– V. Javier 19, E. Dela Cuesta 17, A. Guiyab 13. C. Luanzon 13, J. Jimenez 4, N. Javier 1, R. Abalos 0
QUARTER SCORES 14-8, 30-24, 52-45, 72-67
Games on Sunday
Venue: University of Makati (UMAK) Gym
Game 1 (2 p.m.) – BFP vs JUDICIARY
Game 2 (3:30 p.m.) – MMDA vs NHA
Game 3 (5: p.m.) – AFP vs PNP
Games will be aired LIVE on UNTV and www.untvweb.com