Pasig City – The PhilHealth: Your Partner In Health made key baskets down the stretch to seal their victory over the House of Representatives Solons, 81-75, in the first game of the UNTV Cup triple-header on March 23 (Sunday) at the Ynares Sports Arena. 

PhilHealth started out strong, leading by 16 after the first period. The squad maintained dominance by halftime, 45-35.

The Solons then opened the second half with a strong 11-1 run to tie the game at 46 during the middle of the third quarter. It was a close battle game since then, with the Solons ahead with one point, 70-69 midway through the fourth period.

Three PhilHealth players stop HOR’s Rep. Gerald Gullas from driving for a lay-up in UNTV Cup Season 2 Elimination Round at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City, Philippines on March 23, 2014. PhilHealth – Your Partner In Health escaped with the victory over HOR Solons with the score 81-75. (Joy Reyes | Photoville International)

PhilHealth’s forwards Jesson Alfeche, Alex Noriega and Ramil Tagupa eventually took charge, frustrating HOR’s attempts and turnovers and converting on fast break opportunities at the other end. 

Alfeche capped PhilHealth’s strong endgame performance with a fastbreak lay-up off Cebu 1^st District Rep. Gerald Gullas’ missed shot attempt, spreading the lead to 8 with less than a minute remaining.

Alfeche led PhilHealth’s attack with 20 points and 4 steals, good enough to earn him player-of-the-game honors. 

“Coach said in the dug-out to just go hard, he told us to just run our game plan for us to win.”, Alfeche said in a post-game interview.

PhilHealth forwards Alex Noriega and Ramil Tagupa added 16 and 13, respectively.

HOR’s reinforcement center Arnold Gamboa finished with 21 points and 8 rebounds while Gerard Francisco, another reinforcement player, poured in 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in a losing effort for the Solons. Rep. Gullas added 14 points and 4 assists for the Solons.

HOR must win its next assignment with the Malacañang Patriots to give it a chance to reach the next stage of the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Local Government Units Vanguards had all their guns on-target as they demolished the DOJ Avengers, 102-69, in the second game.

LGU Vanguards Shooting Guard Francis Adriano (L) dashes to keep ball possession during the UNTV Cup Season 2 Elimination Round at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City, Philippines on March 23, 2014. The Vanguards snatches the victory from DOJ Avengers with the score 102-69. (Maia Garciano | Photoville International)

Five LGU players scored in double-figures led by the player of the game, LGU swingman Kiko Adriano’s 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals. 

Adriano exclaimed, “First of all, I’m very happy because we still have hope, especially for our OFW charitable partners. For me, winning the best player award is just a bonus. What we really aim for is to win and involve our teammates.”

DOJ missed the services of three of their best players, reinforcement swingman Paul Reguerra, point guard Denver Lacanilao and back-up center Rosauro Dantis. Reinforcement center Ian Garrido carried DOJ with 36 points and 17 rebounds.

With the loss, DOJ is eliminated as the tournament goes to the next round.

DOJ team coordinator Illuminado Cabrido, Jr. showed grace under defeat as he thanked UNTV Chairman and CEO, Mr. Daniel Razon after their elimination from this season’s games. “Kuya Daniel, thank you very much for (UNTV Cup) Season 2. It’s the second time that we are eliminated but we will give our very best to bounce back. We gave our all but we just didn’t make it through. Hopefully, we will bounce back in Season 3.”

In the third game, the PNP Responders fired on all cylinders right from the start as they crushed the Senate Defenders, 93-53.

PNP point guard Japhet Cabahug (R) and Senate shooting guard Tata Marata (L) dashes to gain loose ball possession during the UNTV Cup Season 2 Elimination Round at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City, Philippines on March 23, 2014. The PNP Responders demolishes the Senate Defenders with the score 93-53. ( Frederick Alvior | Photoville International)

Season 1 MVP Olan Omiping and point guards Julius Criste and Rey Agoncillo combined for 5 three-pointers to gain an early 25-8 lead after the first period. 

With the Defenders missing the services of their ace player, ex-pro Kenneth Duremdes, and PNP outplaying them both on offense and defense, the Senate just was not able to mount a strong comeback.  

PNP point guard Japhet Cabahug and center Jaymann Misola topscored for the Responders with 10 points apiece. 

“We prepared well for this game because we expected Kenneth (Duremdes) to suit up and we know that we will have a hard time in this game. We were also apprehensive because we’re on break for more than three weeks so our coach told us to just run for us to sweat into the game,” stated Misola, who was chosen as the best player of the game.

Defenders forward Warren Tan paced the Senate with 10 points and 11 rebounds. 

(Written By: Jerlo Kevin Rialp)