Kenneth Duremdes of the BOC Transformers jumps past Romer Diaz of the GSIS Furies. (Photo by Charlie Miñon, Photoville International)

Pasig City, Philippines – Samuel Ignacio knocked in a reverse layup off a Duremdes pass with 10.4 seconds remaining as the newcomer BOC Transformers earned a hard fought 76-74 nail-biter over the GSIS Furies.

The ball game between the BOC and GSIS was part of the triple header of UNTV Cup Season 5 at Pasig City Sports Complex last September 11.

Trailing by four points with less than two minutes left in the game, the Transformers ignited an 8-2 run on clutch back-to-back three pointers as the debutants grabbed their win of the season.

Despite hitting 61% (30/49) in field goal percentage, the Furies were outrebounded 18-31 by the Customs.

Rizal Vonn Ignacio delivered 18 points, including 3/6 from beyond the arc, with three steals, two rebounds and two assists.

Marlou Aquino had a near double-double performance with 12 points and nine rebounds, S. Ignacio and Franco finished with 11 points each while Kenneth Duremdes added nine.

The two teams figured in an exciting duel of spurts that boiled down to a gripping seesaw battle at the finish. The game tied at 74 on a one-on-one play by Romer Diaz with time down to 30.9 seconds.

As the clock ticked down, Duremdes found his way inside the lane and dished out a pass to S. Ignacio which gave them a two-point advantage.

The Furies called for a play with ten seconds left, Diaz had an open lane to the basket but failed to deliver the game-tying shot, fading away their chances.

Rene Boy Banzali led GSIS with 24 points, four rebounds, two steals and an assist. Diaz, meanwhile, finished with 17 points (⅗ 3-pt), pulled four boards and two assists.

Malacañan 82, Ombudsman 70

Malacañan Kamao Forward Eric Dela Cuesta forces his way inside the lane for a layup against the defense of Rysal Castro of the Ombudsman Graftbusters. (Photo by Marlon Bonajos, Photoville International)

Moreover, Eric Dela Cuesta waxed hot after hitting six from beyond the arc to lead Malacañan Kamao to an 82-70 triumph against the Ombudsman Graftbusters in the second game.

Kamao were behind by five points halfway through the final quarter before starting a 20-0 explosion capped by a series of triples from Narayan Javier and Dela Cuesta as Malacañan surged ahead, 80-65, 55.3 seconds left.

Dela Cuesta finished with 22 points, four steals, three rebounds and one assist, Javier had 14, Norberto Farochilen added 13, who nearly had a perfect field goal percentage hitting 6-of-7 from the field.

Ronnie Zagala top scored for the Graftbusters with 29 points and five rebounds.

Congress 96, DOJ 78

Francis Adriano of the HOR Solons attacks the defense of Cristo Rey Borile of the DOJ Justice Boosters. (Photo by Webster Moldez, Photoville International)

In the third and final game of Sunday’s triple-header, the HOR Solons had an easy 18-point victory over the determined DOJ Justice Boosters.

Former San Miguel Beermen player Francis Adriano delivered a double-double outing with 28 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way for the Congress. He also shot 4/6 from rainbow territory.

Egay Billiones added 24 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists, while Arnold Gamboa and Erwin Sta. Maria finished with 15 and 12 points, respectively.

The Solons pulled away in the third quarter on an Adriano three-point barrage as Congress led 50-41 with 5:25 in the clock.

Justine Lopez scored 20 points for the Justice Boosters.

Game Results

GAME 1

BOC Transformers 76 – R. Ignacio 18, R. Ignacio 18, Aquino 12, Franco 11, S. Ignacio 11, Duremdes 9, Sumalinog 5, Canoza 5, Ejercito 3, De Belen 2

GSIS Furies 74 – Banzali 24, Diaz 17, Abugan 13, Cuevas 11, Mopera 3, Alfonso 2, Garcia 2, Hernandez 2

Scores: 22-15, 33-29, 50-53, 76-74

GAME 2

Malacañan Kamao 82 – Dela Cuesta 22, V. Javier 14, Farochilen 13, Guiyab 9, Luanzon 8, Garrido 6, Gadong 4, N. Javier 2, Abalos 2, J. Jimenez 2,

Ombudsman Graftbusters 70 – Zagala 29, Marcos 15, Caceres 12, Baldonado 5, Castro 4, Buentipo 2, Lazo 2, Palacio 1

Scores: 21-18, 36-34, 54-57, 82-70

GAME 3

HOR Solons 96 – Adriano 28, Billiones 24, Gamboa 15, Sta. Maria 12, Romero 5, Martinez 4, Dimaporo 3, Rodriguez 3, Lanete 2

DOJ Justice Boosters 78 – Lopez 20, Romero 15, Borile 12, Cruz 11, R. Tolentino 6, Vitero 4, L. Tolentino 2, Cabrido 2, Polican 2, Buenaventura 2, San Juan 2

Scores: 16-15, 40-31, 60-49, 96-78

Games on September 18
University of Makati Gymnasium

2:00 p.m. – DOJ vs PNP
3:30 p.m. – BFP vs MMDA
5:00 p.m. – NHA vs Judiciary

Written by: John Kenneth Jaramilla