DEFENDING champion PNP Responders promise a hard-fought battle against the Malacañang-PSC Kamao today (Sunday) at 5 p.m. in the UNTV Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center as it is their last chance to grab a spot in the semifinal round.
“Ayaw naming mawala ‘yung mga sumusuporta sa amin. Ayaw naming ma-down sila, bubuhayin namin ang campaign namin,” Responders’ assistant coach PO3 Artemio Marquez said.
The game marks the first time the two teams clash this season since the Responders defeated the Kamao in Game 3 of their best-of-three series in March, 2017.
Toting a 7-2 record, Malacañang-PSC Kamao, on the other hand, however, has other plans.
“Talagang paghahandaan naming itong PNP. Marami kaming adjustment nagagawin. ‘Yung run and gun game nila, kailangan naming ma-stop dahil talagang mabilis sila,” said Kamao assistant coach Raffy Gonzales.
In case the Kamao team wins, it will get the remaining automatic slot in the semifinals plus a twice-to-beat advantage, with the PNP heading to the exit.
On the other hand, if PNP wins, the cops, with a 5-4 win-loss standing, get to keep their chances alive in defending their title.
In other games, the PDEA Drug Busters face two-time champion AFP Cavaliers at 2 p.m., while the Senate Defenders and the other two-time champion Judiciary Magis face off at 3:30 p.m.