LGU Vanguards guard John Ervic Vijandre (R) during the UNTV Cup Season 2 Elimination Round at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City, Philippines on March 23, 2014. The Vanguards snatched the win over DOJ Avengers with the score 102-69. (Photoville International / Maia Garciano)

The Local Government Units, Malacañang, PNP and MMDA look to start the second round of UNTV Cup 2 on a winning note as action resumes on Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The LGU Vanguards and the Malacañang Patriots meet in the first game scheduled at 3 p.m.
The Vanguards will again rely on their two ace forwards Ervic Vijandre (26.3 PPG) and Kiko Adriano (21.3 PPG) to carry the fight for Team LGU.

Adriano was the main man in LGU’s demolition of the DOJ Avengers last March 23 with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals, while Vijandre added 14 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.

LGU crushed the DOJ Avengers by the score of 102-69.

On the other hand, the Patriots will try to push the pace with their running game and keep the advantage with their balanced scoring attack anchored on slotman Gregorio Malapit (12.8 PPG) and reinforcement forward Jenkins Mesina (10.5 PPG).

Malacañang’s bruiser forward Paul Yamamoto starred in the Patriots’ win over the HOR Solons, 88-76, in their last game date, finishing with 16 points and 4 rebounds. Mesina added 15 points and 5 rebounds.

Meanwhile, the PNP Responders and the MMDA Black Wolves clash in the second game at 4:30 p.m.

The MMDA Black Wolves will try to sustain the momentum they acquired after a big victory over defending champions Judiciary Magis as they face last year’s runner –up PNP Responders.

Black Wolves’ forward Jeffrey Sanders drives to the hoop against Judiciary’s Ariel Capus in as he starred in MMDA’s upset win against the Magis last March 2, 2014 at the Ynares Sports Arena. MMDA won over the Judiciary, 73-71. (Photoville International / Charlie Miñon)

The Black Wolves will be paced by do-it-all forward Jeffrey Sanders (20.5 PPG) and formidable center Cyril Santiago (16.0 PPG) as they try to outdo the PNP by forcing the ball inside the paint.

Sanders was on fire in MMDA’s surprise victory against the defending champion Judiciary, 73-71, last March 27 with a stellar performance of 27 points, 16 rebounds and 2 steals while Santiago came out with 16 points and 9 rebounds.

As usual, PNP’s one-two punch of last year’s MVP shooting guard Ollan Omiping (20.0 PPG) and spitfire point guard Julius Criste (9.8 PPG) will lead the Responders’ charge, with their glaring backcourt advantage.

In their last game against the Senate Defenders last March 23, Omiping came out with three booming triples in the first quarter to help PNP dictate the tempo from the onset and eventually win the game in convincing fashion, 93-53.

He finished with 9 points as he rested early in the game.

The UNTV Action Center will again be present in the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City during the UNTV Cup games as it continues to provide public service to the fans of the competing teams.

The UNTV Cup is a inter-agency basketball league for charity organized by UNTV through its Chairman and CEO, Mr. Daniel Razon.

The games will be televised on UNTV on Sunday, April 13, with web streaming on UNTVweb.com.

(Written by Jerlo Kevin Rialp)