PNP sharpshooter Ollan Omiping making his trademark gesture after converting on a three-pointer in their game against the MMDA Black Wolves last Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena. PNP claims the win against MMDA, 75-61. (Rey Vercide | Photoville International)

Pasig City – The Malacañang Patriots and the PNP Responders came up with contrasting wins to kick off their second round campaign in the second season of UNTV Cup last Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena.

In the first game, Malacañang won a tight contest against the LGU Vanguards, 93-91.

It was a game of runs from the onset, with Malacañang erecting a 35-24 lead midway through the second quarter and LGU storming back to gain a 61-54 lead of their own with under 4 minutes in the third period.

A foul called against LGU star Ervic Vijandre proved to be the game changer, as it sparked a 7-0 run to give Malacañang an 82-75 advantage in the middle of the fourth quarter.

From there, the Patriots slowly pulled away from the Vanguards as they pounded the ball inside and grabbed second-chance baskets.

Vijandre missed a three-pointer with 5 seconds left that could have tied the game at 91-all.
Malacañang reinforcement Jenkins Mesina made two crucial free throws off an intentional foul that kept the game out of reach for the LGU squad.

Vijandre made a buzzer-beater three-point shot, but it was a little too late for the Vanguards.

Malacañang forward Vladimir Lucido attempting a reverse lay-up against LGU star Ervic Vijandre. Malacañang wins against LGU, 93-91. (Madelyn Milana | Photoville International)

Malacañang slotman Greg Malapit led the Patriots’ charge with 23 points and 10 rebounds while reinforcement Jenkins Mesina added 19 points.

Vijandre carried the LGU team with 43 points and 10 rebounds while another reinforcement player, Kiko Adriano, added 24 points and 12 rebounds.

Meanwhile, the PNP Responders relied on a strong fourth-quarter performance to defeat the MMDA Black Wolves, 75-61.

The Responders started out strong, with PNP ace player Ollan Omiping and forward Ronald Abaya teaming up to give PNP a 19-12 first quarter lead.

The Black Wolves came back strong at the start of the second half, as MMDA star forward Jeffrey Sanders and point guard PJ Villanueva combined for 22 points to give the lead to MMDA, 55-52, after the third period.

PNP’s ace player Ollan Omiping going for a fastbreak lay-up during their game against the MMDA Black Wolves at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. PNP secures the win against MMDA, 75-61. (Madelyn Milana | Photoville International)

It was a different story in the fourth quarter, as the Responders held the Black Wolves to only 6 points in the entire quarter.

PNP’s point guard Julius Criste starred in their fourth-quarter charge, making 8 points in a crucial stretch to break a 55-all deadlock.

The Black Wolves was unable to mount a counterattack, as only MMDA center Cyril Santiago scored in the quarter for their team.

PNP forward Ollan Omiping paced the Responders with 18 points, 14 rebounds and 3 steals. Point guard Julius Criste added 15 points and 3 steals for the PNP five.

MMDA’s Jeffrey Sanders led the team with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals. PJ Villanueva added 16 points and 5 rebounds.

(Written By Jerlo Kevin Rialp)