Judiciary, National Housing Authority and Philippine International Trading Corporation kept their hopes for the second outright semis berths alive by posting contrasting wins in the 8th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the San Juan City gym.
Of the three, it was the PITC Global Traders who produced the biggest win, stunning the erstwhile unbeaten Department of Environment and Natural Resources Warriors, 74-64.
With Rod Vasallo doing a little of everything, the Global Traders of started to pull away in the second quarter and hand the Warriros their first defeat in seven matches in the tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon for public servants.
DENR’s defeat pushed idle and defending champion Armed Forces of the Philippines to the top with a 7-1 record.
The Builders of coach Benneth Palad, on the other hand, hiked their record to 6-3 with a 100-96 win over the also ran PhilHealth Plus.
Alvin Vitug and Marvin Mercado formed NHA’s 1-2 punch as they registered 24 and 22 points, respectively. Mercado completed a double-double by grabbing 13 boards.
The Judiciary Magis, meantime, stretched their winning run to four games by downing the slumping Department of Agriculture Food Masters, 81-72, to tie idle Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission, and PITC for fourth to sixth places at 5-3.
Former PBA player Chester Tolomia sparked Judiciary’s furious second quarter assault that saw them erase 27-15 deficit for a 41-40 halftime advantage.
They never looked back after that as Tolomia got able support from Warren Ybanez and Christopher dela Cruz who chipped in 13 points each.
The Scores:
First game
NHA 100—Vitug 24, Mercado 22, Dizon 18, Lustestica 15, Prado 8, Tibay 5, Crisostomo 4, Adolfo 3, Valdez 1.
PHILHEALTH 96—Aldave 37, Emata 29, Mazo 10, Hernandez 10, Pacheco 4, Malana 4, Armojallas 2.
Quarters: 26-22, 47-48, 77-72, 100-96.
Second Game
Marvin Mercado—22 PTS, 13 REB, 1 AST, 5 BLK
JUDICIARY—Tolomia 22, Dela Cruz 13, Ybanez 13, Dela Cruz 13, Bergonio 11, Dionisio 7, Marquez 6, Malinao 4, Puno 2, Salamat 2.
AGRICULTURE—Oreta 23, Fernandez 12, Mastelero 11, Casaysayan 9, Comerciase 7, Manigo 7, Silva 3.
Quarters: 15-27, 41-40, 64-53, 81-72.
Third Game
PITC 74—Vasallo 24, Regalado 14, Taplah 12, Gecale 10, Lopez 7, Almarinez 3, Juan 2, Martin 2.
DENR 64—Rivera 20, Abanes 18, Bangal 12, Ayson 7, Gamboa 6, Calungcagin 1
Quarters: 17-18, 36-35, 57-50, 74-64.
