Defending champion Senate looks to extend its winning streak to four games in Group A elims when it battles struggling Philippine National Police on Sunday in the 7th UNTV Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center.
Coming off a convincing 87-72 win over the Department of Justice Boosters last Sunday, the Senate Defenders should come out fully motivated in their 5 p.m. encounter with the PNP Responders.
Senate coach Mike Fermin, however, sees a tight and exciting showdown with the Responders who are out to improve their 1-2 record in the event offering P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team.
Expected to lead the Defenders are former PBA player Jeff Sanders and Garry Sevilla and Senators Joel Villanueva and Sonny Angara.
Former University of the East player Olan Omiping and ABL veteran Harold Sta. Maria will spearhead PNP which is out to reclaim its title it won two years ago in the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon.
Two-time champion Judiciary hopes to barge into the win column of Group B elims as it tackles Department of Agriculture while PITC collided with GSIS in the other Group A match.
Chester Tolomia and Warren Ybanez, two former PBA players in Judiciary’s lineup, should step up to inspire their teammates as they bid for their first win in three games.
But they will have their hands full against the Zaldy Realubit-mentored Food Masters, who are banking on former UST star Emerson Oreta.