THREE-TIME runner-up Philippine National Police Responders forced a do-or-die Game 3 in the UNTV Cup Season 5 finals after toppling Malacañang Kamao, 67-61, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday.
Two-time Most Valuable Player Ollan “The Sniper” Omiping scored 21 points to lead the PNP Team in Game 2, where he was named Best Player of the Game.
“Nararamdaman ko mukhang ito na talaga. Sabi ko nga, ngayon lang kami nanalo ng Game 2. Ngayon lang din kami nanalo sa Araneta, so ‘yung mga sitwasyon parang pumapabor papunta sa amin,” Omiping said.
The PNP Responders controlled the first three quarters and led by 54-47 going into the final period.
Malacañang Kamao tied the game at 54-54 in the last 7 minutes and 49 seconds, but PNP responded quickly with timely baskets by Omiping for the win.
The PNP win set a deciding winner-take-all Game 3 on Tuesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Meanwhile, the cash prizes for all participating teams and individual honors were also awarded in Game 2.
The teams which did not qualify to the Final 4 received P100,000 each for their chosen charities.
Here are the teams and their chosen beneficiary/charity:
1. AFP Cavaliers – AFP-EBSO (Education Benefit Systems Office); 2. BFP Firefighters-Philippine Science High School Foundation Inc.; 3. MMDA Blackwolves-Philippine General Hospital-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Philippine Cerebral Palsy Inc. and Damayan MMDA Provident Fund; 4. Senate Defenders-Kythe Foundation Inc., Pangarap Foundation and Share An Opportunity, Philippines Inc.; 5. Ombudsman Graftbusters-Ombudsman Provident Fund; 6. DoJ Justice Boosters-DoJ Employees Association; 7. GSIS Furies-Kapisanan ng mga Manggagawa sa GSIS; 8. HOR Solons-Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Missions, Inc. and Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc.; 9. NHA Builders-NHA Provident Fund Association,Inc.
The fourth and third placers received P500,000 and P1,000,000, respectively.
BOC Transformers (fourth) had Caritas Manila, Inc. as its beneficiary, while Judiciary Magis (third place) chose Judiciary Employees Severely Affected by Typhoons and Calamities
A total of P2,700,000 were already awarded for charity in Game 2.
In Game 3, the top prizes will be awarded to the Top 2 teams of the season.
The champion gets P4,000,000, while the second placer receives P2,000,000 for their chosen beneficiary/charity.
Malacañang Kamao has chosen a group of Cancer Patients and Millennium Sports Support System Association Inc., while PNP Responders picked Police Community Relations Group “Drug Rehabilitation Program.”
Game on Tuesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
8 p.m. PNP Responders vs Malacañang Kamao