The Judiciary Magis again showed their dominance, this time by their running game anchored on John Hall. They defeated the LGU Vanguards, 94-78 in UNTV Cup’s triple header last February 23. (Charlie Miñon / Photoville International)

The AFP Cavaliers, Judiciary Magis and Philhealth Advocates won their respective assignments in UNTV Cup’s elimination games last February 23 this year at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Team AFP displayed their veteran savvy and solid team play by winning over the taller DOJ Avengers, 93-84. 

The Cavaliers made up for their disadvantage in height with their team play as they lead all throughout the ballgame. Their hot shooting also contributed to their dominance, piling up scores to lead with as much as 19 points by the end of the third quarter. 

Alvin Zuniga was the best player of the game with 19 points and 6 assists. Ian Garrido, a former PCU Dolphins hotshot, was the leading scorer for DOJ with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

With the win, AFP’s record goes up to 1-1 while Team DOJ gets on the team rankings with a 0-1 record.

For the second game, the Judiciary Magis showed that they could also play the running game with a dominating win against the LGU Vanguards, 94-78. 

The trio of Don Camaso, Ariel Capus and John Hall carried the load for the Magis, as they erased a ten point deficit in the second quarter and never looked back. 

Hall paced the Judiciary with 23 points and awarded as the game’s best player. Capus added 25 points and Camaso contributed 23 markers and 14 boards. Ex-pro Kiko Adriano led the Vanguards with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

With 2 wins and no losses, Team Judiciary now sits atop the standings. The Vanguards fall to 1-1.

The Philhealth Advocates escaped a nailbiter against the PNP Responders in the last game with a score of 67-60.

Philhealth President and CEO Alexander Padilla in the stands to show his support for the Advocates. Philhealth won against PNP, 67-60. (Rodel Lumiares / Photoville International)

The Advocates relied on the inside presence and veteran smarts of former pro Poch Juinio as well as the explosive plays of former Adamson Falcons player Ramil Tagupa to lead the Responders all throughout the game. 

Not to undone, the Responders managed a one-point edge, 61-60, with 41 seconds remaining in the game. This was despite their ace player Olan Omiping being held scoreless in the fourth.

Juinio’s short stab and do-it-all forward Jesson Alfeche’s freethrows and fastbreak lay-up made the game out of reach of the Responders and gave the Advocates, who has Philhealth president and CEO Alexander Padilla in the gallery, their first win of the second season.

Ramil Tagupa led Philhealth with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Olan Omiping paced PNP with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

Philhealth’s record stands at 1-0 while PNP is now at 1-1.

(Written by Jerlo Kevin Rialp)