Games Jan. 8, 2023
2 p.m. – PNP vs Ombudsman
3:30 p.m. – the AFP vs GSIS
5 p.m. – Judiciary vs Dept. of Agriculture
Alvin Vitug exploded for a season-high 38 points and helped power the NHA Home Masters to a 92-80 come-from-behind win over defending champion DENR Warriors in the 9th UNTV Cup Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the Paco Arena in Manila.
In his best game so far, Vitug also produced seven rebounds and seven assists as the Home Masters completed their remarkable comeback from several 10-point deficits in the first half to hike their record to 2-1.
Three other NHA players scored in double figures with Marvin Mercado scattering 13 points and John Dizon and Brian Dabu adding 11 and 10, respectively, to hand the Warriors their first defeat in two games.
In other games, the PNP Responders romped to a 102-59 victory over SSS Kabalikat, while the Agricultutre Food Masters pulled off a thrilling 101-99 win over PhilHealth Konsulta in the 12-team tournament for public servants.
Julius Casaysayan and Nino Villena led the Food Masters to their first win in two games by scoring similar 24 points while Rollie Serrano and Richard Villanueva starred for PNP by each posting 22 points apart from combining for 15 boards.
Agriculture’s win negated the 35-point performance of former Letran star Jonathan Aldave for PhilHealth.
Meantime, the league, a brainchild of UNTV’s Kuya Daniel Razon, takes a two-week holiday break and returns on Jan. 8 with another triple-header.
The chosen charity of the champion team will receive a tax-free P3 million prize.
The scores:
First Game
PNP Responders 102 – R. Serrano 22, R. Villanueva 22, G. Aniban 13, M. Enriquez 7, J. Misola 6, A. Tolentino 6, J. Dia 5, J. Cabahug 4, J. Guzman 4, S. Maceren 4, M. Nicolas 3, A. Bayabao 3, F. Abaya 2, H. Decena 1.
SSS Kabalikat 59 – A. Comson 16, M. Aguila 12, F. Sarmiento 8, R. Puno 6, J. Jose 4, S. Trinidad 4, D. Rayos 2, J. Salera 2, J. Tanega 2, S. Paclibare 2, R. Gutierrez 1
Quarter s: 27-10, 56-25, 84-43, 102-59
Second Game
Agriculture Food Masters 101 – J. Casaysayan 24, N. Villena 24, M. Kalaw 17, C. Santiago 10, W. Buenavista 8, J. Mariano 6, I. Garrido 5, M. Mastelero 4, E. Sevilla 3.
PhilHealth Konsulta 99 – J. Aldave 35, I. Mazo 15, J. Glorioso 14, C. Capati 13, M. Pedroso 9, I. Hierro 5, K. Emata 5, A. Noriega 3.
Quarters : 23-14, 49-36, 71-69, 101-99.
Third Game
NHA Home Masters 92 – A. Vitug 38, M. Mercado 13, J. Dizon 11, B. Dabu 10, A. Lustestica 9, R. Sumayang 8, W. Tibay 2, J. Prado 1.
DENR Warriors 80 – R. Vergara 17, E. Rivera 16, R. Lansang 13, A. Atablanco 11, D. Ayson 10, M. Bangal 6, A. Gamboa 4, R. Abanes 3.
Quarters: 18-27, 44-44, 67-72, 92-80.
