UNTV CUP Season 3 runner up Malacañang Kamao and three-time runner up PNP Responders forced do-or-die games in the semifinals of the UNTV Cup Season 5 after defeating their opponents Sunday.
In Game 1, Malacañang lunched an early assault and sustained it until the finish, en route to a 99-88 victory over the powerhouse team BOC Transformers.
Hailed as the Best Players of the Game were Eric Dela Cuesta with 32 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 3 steals, and Visnu Das Javier with 22 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists.
Another outstanding performance for Malacañang came from Christian Luanzon, with 22 points 2 rebounds and 5 assists.
“I told to my team before the start of the game ‘Nothing will change.’ Whatever will happen on the start we should maintain consistency on what we are going to do whether we are on the lead or the opponent. But to us, we know what we are going to do: lean on each other, lean on our teammate, lean on our system,” said Malacañang Kamao Head Coach Louie Gonzales.
In the second game, the PNP Responders bombarded the two-time champion Judiciary Magis, 92-67.
“The desire and eagerness of the players are there so we really prepared hard for this game against the Judiciary Magis because we have to beat them twice. We’re very happy to get the 1st game, so we have to get the other one,” PNP Responders Head Coach Ernie Sta. Cruz said.
The best player of the game honors was given to Anton Tolentino with 22 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists and to Harold Sta. Cruz with 7 points and 13 rebounds (mostly defensive), which restricted the Magis in their inside plays.
The Scores:
Malacañang Kamao (99)—E. Dela Cuesta 32, V. Javier 22, C. Luanzon 22, J. Besa 11, J. Jimenez 4, P. Yamamoto 4, I. Garrido 2, G. Gadong 2, N. Javier 0
BOC Tranformers (88)—G. Ejercito 26, M. Aquino 22, R. Ignacio 11, K. Duremedes 10, B. Franco 9, S. Ignacio 5, M. Sumalinog 5, E. Canoza 0
Second Game
PNP Responders (92)—A. Tolentino 22, O. Omiping 17, J. Misola 12, H. Sta. Cruz 7, A. Bayabao 5, J. Criste 5, J. Cabahug 4, H. Decena 4, C. Elopre 4, R. Cabrera 4, A. Yanquiling 4
Judiciary Magis (67)—C. Tolomia 17, J. Rabino 14, V. Puno 11, C. Camaso 8, A. Capus 8, W. Ybañez 4, H. Bergonio 3, F. Salamat 2, J. Montesa 0, K. Enriquez 0, M. Tomacruz 0, C. Roma 0
Games Sunday
(Pasig City Sports Center)
3 p.m. Judiciary Magis vs. PNP Responders
5 p.m. BOC Transformers vs Malacañang Kamao
