Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) went full throttle in the final quarter and clobbered Judiciary, 86-65, to stay unbeaten in Group B elims of the 8th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center.
With the Ralph Lansang, Desiderio Ayson, Ed Rivera and Arturo Atablanco hitting their targets even from afar, the DENR Warriors steadily pulled away from a 50-50 count and won pulling away for its third straight win in as many outings.
Lansang expectedly led the Warriors with 18 points, Ayson and Rivera added 17 and 16 points, respectively, while Melvin Bangal chipped in 14—the bulk coming in a mighty fourth quarter onslaught that saw them outscore the Magis, 36-15.
In the other Group B action, National Housing Authority demolished GSIS, 80-68, while Department of Agriculture got back on winning track with an 88-65 drubbing of PhilHealth in the lone Group B match of the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon.
The chosen charity of the champion team in the annual event for public servants gets P4 million (tax free) with the runner-up’s charity receiving P2 million.
The NHA Builders of coach Bennett Palad drew another inspired game from Marvin Mercado to improve their record to 3-1.
Mercado finished with 15 points and seven boards while Jose Adolfo added 12 points.
Henry Fernandez and Emerson Oreta put on another vintage performance to lead the DA Food Masters with 20 and 18 points, respectively.
The Food Masters, who also got 17 points from Christian Dematera and 9 from Brian Mastelero, hiked their record to 3-1.
First Game
DENR 86—Lansang 18, Ayson 17, Rivera 16, Bangal 14, Atablanco 7, Abanes 4, Gamboa 4, Mamac 3, Parreño 3.
Judiciary 65—Tolomia 19, Bergonio 12, Dela Cruz 12, Malinao 5, Ybañez 5, Dionisio 4, Mustre 4, Litonjua 2, Roma 2.
Quarter scores: 18-16, 30-35, 50-50, 86-65.
Second Game
NHA—Mercado 15, Adolfo 12, Vitug 11, Prado 9, Lustestica 9, J. Dizon 6, Alastoy 5, M. Dizon 4, Sumayang 3, Crisostomo 3, W. Tibay 2.
GSIS—Banzali 25, Laurel 8, Hernandez 8, Gementera 7, Gonzalez 6, Bunyi 4, Cacatian 4, Dorato 4, Dela Cuadra 2.
Quarter scores: 21-16, 40-24, 58-41, 80-68.
Third Game
Agriculture 88—Fernandez 20, Oreta 18, Dematera 17, Casaysayan 11, Mastelero 9, Mayran 5, Comerciase 4, Silva 4.
PhilHealth 65—Aldave 25, Mazo 16, Pacheco 9, Hernandez 5, Malana 3, Emata 3, Armojallas 2, Hierro 2.
Quarter scores: 21-18, 44-33, 62-49, 88-65.