Game Monday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
7 p.m. – Senate vs Malacañang-PSC
Senate leaned on a torrid start and clobbered Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission, 77-62, at the start of their best-of-three series in the 6th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center.
With Gary Sevilla and former PBA player Jeff Sanders at the helm, the Defenders raced to a 10-point lead in the first 10 minutes of play, padded it to 23 points at the end of the third to turn what was expected to be a dog-fight into a runaway win.
Senate can clinch its first title in the annual event presented by UNTV through its president and CEO Daniel Razon with another win on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The champion team gets P500,000 aside from the rare honor of providing P4 million to its chosen charity. The runner-up gets P300,000 and P2 million to its own chosen charity.
Meantime, two-time champion and top seed Armed Forces of the Philippines salvaged some measure of pride by edging No. 2 National Housing Authority, 85-84.
Aside from a well-balanced attack, Senate coach Mike Fermin also paid tribute to the team’s rock-solid defense that limited the usually explosive Eric dela Cuesta to just eight points.
Sevilla led the Defenders with 15 points aside from pulling down four rebounds while Sanders posted 13 points, three rebounds and the same number of blocks.
It was a total team effort for Senate as even Sen. Joel Villanueva contributed eight points, three rebounds and a steal while James Mangaran had 9 points and 9 boards.
SENATE 77 – Sevilla 15, Sanders 13, Mangaran 9, Villanueva 8, Balboa 6, Ng 6, Malaga 5, Omega 3, Legaspi 3, Angara 2, Golding 2, Andaya 1.
MALACAÑANG-PSC 62 – Luanzon 21, Javier 10, Dela Cuesta 8, Garrido 7, Ignario 7, Magadia 5, Gadong 3, Besa 1.
Quarters: 22-12, 37-24, 56-33, 77-62
