Alex Noriega (#5) skies for the defensive rebound in PhilHealth’s match against the Malacañang Patriots last week. PhilHealth got the win and aims to replicate their victory on Sunday against the House of Representatives Solons. (Rodel Lumiares | Photoville International)

The PhilHealth – Your Partner In Health aims for fourth win when it faces the House of Representatives Solons in UNTV Cup games on March 23 (Sunday), which observers note are key games for both squads.

On Sunday’s triple header event at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, the 2 p.m. game belongs to Philhealth and House of Representatives.

PhilHealth has been dominating their opposition this season, winning by a margin of 21 points over three games. They intend to maintain their momentum going into the next round of the tournament by winning in the same fashion as they face the Solons, who are languishing at the bottom of the team standings with a 0-2 win-loss record.

The game is a must-win for HOR as they are in risk of being eliminated as the UNTV Cup moves on to the next stage of the tournament.

The PhilHealth five will again capitalize on their height and speed advantage as they have former PBA slotman Poch Juinio as their anchor in the paint and forwards Ramil Tagupa, Jesson Alfeche, Alex Noriega and Carlo Capati to fuel their offensive attack.

The Solons will not go down as easily, with hot-shooting Rep. Niel Tupas, Jr. and former UST stalwart and ex-pro Gerard Francisco leading the HOR charge. 

HOR reinforcement Gerard Francisco (right) drives against PNP’s Olan Omiping (left). Both players lead their teams to victory on Sunday as HOR faces PhilHealth in the first game while PNP faces the Senate Defenders in the third game. (Rey Vercide | Photoville International)

Rep. Tupas has been on fire from beyond the arc, averaging 13.5 points and 3 three-pointers made per game. Meanwhile, Francisco has been ably serving as the team’s point-forward, with 16.5 PPG, 7 RPG and 4 APG over two games.

DOJ Avoiding Elimination, Battles With LGU

In the second game, the Department of Justice Avengers will also try to avoid elimination as they face the Local Government Units Vanguards at 3:30 p.m.

The LGU squad almost made a come-from-behind victory against powerhouse team AFP last week, as they mounted a furious rally that saw AFP’s 10-point lead in the last two minutes go down to just 1 point with less than a minute remaining in the game. 

LGU reinforcement forwards Ervic Vijandre and Kiko Adriano combined for 71 points in a losing effort against AFP. Vijandre and Adriano, along with their premiere big man San Juan City Vice Mayor Francis Zamora, are again expected to carry the LGU five against DOJ.

LGU’s big man, San Juan Vice Mayor Francis Zamora (center), battles under the rim against AFP’s big men in their match last Sunday. Zamora will again man the frontline on Sunday as they face DOJ. (Rodel Lumiares | Photoville International)

Meanwhile, their counterparts from DOJ, former San Sebastian Stags guard Paul Reguerra and former Philippine Christian U’s Ian Garrido will be carrying the Avengers in their quest to avoid an early exit in this year’s season.

Both have been averaging in double figures for the Avengers, as Reguerra posted 18.6 points and 7 rebounds per game while Garrido normed 16 points and 9 rebounds each outing. Reguerra has also been shooting well from beyond the arc with a 36.6% clip from 3-point distance.

PNP Faces Senate’s Captain Marbel

The Philippine National Police Responders and the Senate Defenders battle in the third game scheduled at 5:00 p.m.

The PNP five are looking to solidify their hold as second place in Group B as action swings to the next stage of the tournament.

UNTV Cup Season 1 MVP Olan Omiping will again carry the load for PNP as they battle with the Senate Defenders in Sunday’s main game scheduled at 5:00 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. (Prince Maverick Medina Marquez | Photoville International)

The Responders will again rely on the heroics of backcourt tandem, sweet-shooting Olan Omiping and spitfire guard Julius Criste. The two have always been the old reliables for PNP since UNTV Cup’s first edition and has combined to score 33.6 points per outing for the Responders this season.

The PNP five, however, faces the gargantuan task of containing former PBA MVP and Senate’s main man, forward Kenneth Duremdes. 

Duremdes, who is also known by the monicker Captain Marbel, is averaging a whopping 29.3 PPG for the Defenders.

The UNTV Cup is an inter-agency charity basketball tournament organized by BMPI-UNTV Chairman and CEO, Mr. Daniel Razon. Games are also available on web streaming at UNTV’s official website.

Every Sunday’s game’s also regarded as People’s Day whereby different agencies setup booths to accommodate inquiries and provide public services to the public. 

Team Standings (as of March 16, 2014):

Group A

• Judiciary 3-0
• AFP 3-1
• LGU 1-2
• MMDA 1-2
• DOJ 0-3

Group B

• PhilHealth 3-0
• PNP 2-1
• Malacañang 1-2
• Senate 1-2
• HOR 0-2

(Written By: Jerlo Kevin Rialp)