Games Jan. 7 (Olivarez Sports Center)
3 p.m. – GSIS vs Judiciary
5 p.m. – NHA vs Senate
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) foiled Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission’s fightback in the payoff period to eke out a 73-71 win and stay unbeaten in the second round of the 6th UNTV Cup held on Tuesday at the JCSGO gym in Cubao.
With Boyet Bautista and Jerry Lumongsod at the helm, the AFP Cavaliers got off to a roaring start but needed huge stops in the crunch to pull of the win – their seventh in eight games.
A former star player of Letran, Bautista finished with 20 points on top of four rebounds and an assist while Lumongsod chipped in 17 points as the Cavaliers boosted their bid for an outright semis berth in the tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon.
AFP’s gutsy stand in the fourth period negated the double-double effort of Malacanang’s Eric dela Cuestra who tallied 15 points and 13 boards.
The loss was Palace’s second in seven games in the league that will take a break starting today. The tournament that offers P4 million to the champion team resumes on Jan. 7.
Meanwhile, reigning titlist Philippine National Police kept its flickering quarterfinals hopes alive with a 95-87 win over the PDEA Drug Busters.
Former University of the east player Ollan Omiping exploded for 28 points to lead the PNP Responders to their fourth win in eight games while handing the Drug Busters their 6th defeat also in eight games.
