THE AFP Cavaliers have the momentum with a four-game winning streak heading into the finals, but the PNP Responders hope to repeat their magical run last year as they clash in a winner-take-all UNTV Cup Executive Face-off finals today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The no. 1 seed AFP, whose streak includes a victory over rival PNP, entered the finals after a breezy 86-70 semifinals victory over the Judiciary Magis last June 25, moments after the Responders eliminated DOJ, 89-77, to set up their highly-anticipated match.
Game time is at 8 p.m., right after the exhibition game between the UNTV Cup selection and the ex-professional players: Ramon Fernandez, Atoy Co, Ed Cordero, Jerry Codinera, Jojo Lastimosa, Ronnie Magsanoc, Allan Caidic, Dindo Pumaren, Vince Hizon, Olsen Racela, Noli Locsin, Bogs Adornado, Pido Jarencio, Philip Cezar, Alvin Patrimonio, Bong Hawkins & Kenneth Duremdes.
This is the third time that the AFP and PNP meet in the finals of the UNTV Cup, with the former winning the first two in Season 2 and Season 4.
The Cavaliers are expected to bring their suffocating full-court press to a whole new level, especially now that the team is set to play with a complete arsenal for just the second time this tournament.
Set to meet the PNP for the first time, BGen. Gener Del Rosario, who did not play when the AFP edged out the Responders, 94-86, in the final game of the elimination round, brings additional firepower to a balanced-scoring Cavaliers’ side with his 15.7 scoring average tallied in three games. He had a team-high 17 points in their series-clinching game against Judiciary.
“We’ll prepare hard pero syempre gusto naming makuha ito,” said AFP’s coach Sonny Manucat, who admits that hectic schedules of the players cost some of the team’s practice.
But he added that the team remains motivated with their co-soldiers currently fighting in Marawi City as their inspirations: “(we want to win) gusto naming ialay lahat doon ang game na ito.”
“‘Yung masasabi kong inspirasyon namin ‘yung mga kasamahan naming sundalo na namatay sa labanan, na nasugatan, ‘yung mga pamilya na namatay ‘yung asawa sa laban nila.”
Meanwhile, the Responders, champions of the Season 5 tournament, try to ride the all-around game of the duo of Anthony Padua and PSupt. Dexter Vitug as they attempt to prove that third try’s luck when they face the AFP in the finals for the third time.
Padua, who is arguably the most consistent player from the PNP side, finished with a game-high 24 points in their semis outing against the DOJ and averaged 21.3 points during the elimination round, but support from his teammates is badly needed to escape a gritty AFP side.
Prizes of P1,000,000 for the champions and P500,000 for the runner-ups are at stake in the country’s first charity basketball tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon. Rewards will be donated to a charity chosen by both teams.
Games Monday
Smart-Araneta Coliseum
6:30 p.m. Former professional players vs UNTV Cup selection
8 p.m AFP Cavaliers vs PNP Responders (8PM)