A NOVEL concept with a heart that has taken the local sporting scene by storm returns today (Sunday)—the off season games of UNTV Cup Executive Face Off.
Eight teams, composed mostly of officials from various government agencies, will compete for the P1 million grand prize to be given for their chosen beneficiaries.
Dubbed as the League of Public Servants, the cage tournament will have the PNP Responders, AFP Cavaliers, Judiciary Magis, DOJ Justice Boosters, Senate Sentinels, Malacañang-PSC Kamao, Ombudsman Graftbusters and GSIS Thunder Furies pitting guts and skills against each other.
Some of the cabinet members of the Duterte administration are expected to play.
A total of P2,000,000 and P350,000 will be given away for all the teams’ charities, tax free. The bulk of the prize, P1,000,000 goes to the champion team, while P500,000 is allotted to the runner-up.
Third and fourth placers get P250,000 and P200,000, respectively, while fifth to eighth placers all receive P100,000 each.
For the off-season defending champion, the AFP Cavaliers, it’s a huge challenge to defend their title.
“I think ‘yung team ay ready naman. Dahil marami kaming bago ngayon, sana maagang mag-gel sila team. Compared kasi dati, mas matagal magkaroon ng samahan. Ngayon, may mga bago, sana in time magre-group, mag-gel kaagad. Pero sa tingin ko nga defending champion tayo, dapat ipakita natin na defending champion nga tayo,” said AFP Cavaliers’ Head Coach Cornelio “Sonny” Manucat III.
Meanwhile, the PNP Responders, headed by Police Director General Oscar Albayalde, promise to avenge their defeat to the Cavaliers in the Exective Face Off championship.
Regular season champion, the Senate Basketball Team, is also expected to make its precense felt.
This year’s Executive Face Off will run until July 30, with the knockout championship game at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The opening games of the UNTV Cup Off Season Executive Face Off at the Pasig City Sports Center is set at 3 p.m., with telecast on UNTV and webcast via www.untvweb.com.
The four teams that will play will be determined by the drawing lots.
Wish107.5’s 1st Wishcovery Grand Champion Princess Sevillena will be performing.