Ex-professionals Rob Wainwright and Gilbert Malabanan came through with double-double performances as Bureau of Fire Protection snapped Armed Forces of the Philippines’ three-game winning streak, 104-97, in the 6th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center.
The Fil-American Wainwright, 43, led the BFP’s strong start as the Firefighters took a 26-15 lead before padding their lead to 58-33 at halftime.
Wainwright, who played for six PBA teams in an 11-year pro career, tallied 19 points and 13 boards while Malabanan also scored 19 points aside from grabbing 11 boards as BFP kept its second round hopes alive.
In the other Group A match, GSIS tied BFP for fourth to fifth places with an 83-7s win over Department of Health while PDEA finally barged into the win column by crushing Department of Justice, 105-86.
The chosen charity of the champion team, according to UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon, will receive R4 million while the beneficiary of the runner-up team will receive P2 million.
In notching their first win, the Drugbusters leaned on the hot-shooting of Robert Sanz as the former Star (formerly Purefoods) player exploded for 33 points aside from hauling down 14 boards.
Six GSIS players finished in double digits with James Abugan scattering 22 points.
