Games Sunday
(Pasig City Sports Center)
3 p.m. – NHA vs BFP
5 p.m. – PNP vs Malacañang
Standings:
Group A: Malacañang (6-3), AFP (6-4), BFP (5-4), MMDA (4-6).
Group B: Customs (8-2), Judiciary (8-2), PNP (7-2), NHA (4-5).
Judiciary clobbered Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), 77-62, and advanced outright to the semis even as defending champion Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) booked a quarterfinal berth in the 5th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center.
In his best game so far, Ariel Capuz sizzled for 23 points while Chester Tolomia chipped in 21 points to lead the Judiciary Magis in clinching the second outright semis berth after finishing the second round with an 8-2 record.
The AFP Cavaliers, on the other hand, rode on a big second quarter assault to down early semifinalist Bureau of Customs, 96-91, and clinch a quarterfinal berth in the tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon.
With ex-Letran star Boyet Bautista presiding over the team’s attack, the AFP Cavaliers outscored the Transformers, 23-15, to take a 49-43 halftime lead which they gallantly protected to close out the second round with a 6-4 mark.
The 5-foot-6 Bautista, who played briefly in the PBA, finished with 25 points for the Cavaliers who handed the Transformers their second straight defeat in the tournament offering R4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team.
Jeffrey Quiambao and Eugene Tan added 14 and 9 points, respectively, as the Cavaliers spoiled the return of playing-coach Kenneth Duremdes, who along with other PBA legends, played a couple of exhibition games in the United Kingdom.
Duremdes led the Transformers with 22 points while Marlou Aquino was held to just 13 points.
Despite their back-to-back setbacks, the Transformers still secured the No. 1 spot having beaten the Magis in the first round.
Philippine National Police can finish with the same 8-2 mark if it beats Malacañang on Sunday but will settle for third after losing to Customs and AFP in the first round.