MALACAÑANG Kamao toppled the PNP Responders after a neck-and-neck battle, pulling off a close 82-81 win at the start of their UNTV Cup best-of-three title series at the Pasig City Sports Center on Sunday.
The Policemen led in the first three quarters, but the Kamao woke up in the fourth after three of their players in Ian Garrido, John Michael Jimenez and Vishnu Das Javier fouled out, with Eric Dela Cuesta stepping up to the plate and nailing back-to-back baskets in leading Malacanang to victory.
For this, Dela Cuesta was hailed as the Best Player of the Game, together with Christian Luanzon.
“Hindi kami pine-pressure ni coach (Louie Gonzales). Sinasabi lang niya for us to have fun sa loob at i-enjoy lang namin ang game, makukuha din namin ang panalo,” Dela Cuesta said.
Find out if the Malacañang Kamao can finally take home the UNTV Cup Season 5 trophy in Game 2 on March 14 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum or if the PNP Responders can extend the series up to Game 3.
Meanwhile, the Judiciary Magis, led by Joey Yabut, claimed third place following a 100-97 win over the BOC Transformers.
“We thank all, who supported us. Even though we just finished third place, you’re all still there,” Judiciary Magis’ Joey Yabut said.
Judiciary’s Chester Tolomia and Warren Ybañez were both hailed as the Best Players of the Game.
The Judiciary Magis received P1 million cash prize, while the BOC Transformers earned P500,000, which will be donated to the teams’ selected beneficiaries.
The Scores
GAME 2:
Malacañang Kamao (82)—C. Luanzon 29, E. Dela Cuesta 23, J. Jimenez 17, I. Garrido 6, P. Yamamoto 3, J. Besa 2, R. Abalos 2, V. Javier 0, N. Javier 0, G. Gadong 0
PNP Responders (81)—O. Omiping 36, R. Ongutan 10, J. Criste 8, A. Tolentino 7, H. Sta. Cruz 5, R. Abaya 4, J. Misola 3, J. Cabahug 2, A. Bayabao 2, R.Cabrera 2, A. Yanquiling 2, J. Tacsay 0, C. Elopre 0, H. Decena 0
QUARTER SCORES—15-23, 39-39, 59-63, 82-81
Game Tuesday
6 p.m. PNP Responders vs Malacañang Kamao