The week 1 elimination round of UNTV Cup Season 2 saw PNP Responders, LGU Vanguards, and Judiciary Magis won their respective games last February 16, joining Team Senate on a 1-lead team standing. 

Game 1: PNP Responders vs. Malacañang Patriots, 67-61

Season 1’s runner-up PNP Responders snatched its first win from the league’s newbie team, Malacañang Patriots.

Both teams ran an even play in the first quarter tying at 12-all, but the Responders played quicker runs in the second quarter and earned a 4-point advantage. 

Season 1’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Police Officer 2 (PO2) Ollan “The Sniper” Omiping leads PNP Responders’ first game win against Malacañang Patriots in the second season of UNTV Cup. Omiping hails Best Player of the Game with 21 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
(Russel Julio | Photoville International)

The Patriots tightened its defense but the police team was unstoppable. PNP’s Dennis Escalona scored a three-pointer with a minute remaining in the first half, giving Responders a 3-point lead, 29-26. 

In the third quarter, the Patriots took possession of the ball and established a 50-45 lead. The Responders quickly set up a new counter run in the last quarter and outscored Malacañang with one point.

The Patriots tried to catch up, tied the score twice at 54 and 56 scores with less than seven minutes left in the game clock.

But the PNP secured the ball in the last few seconds and settled the game at 67-61. Season 1’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) PO2 Olan “The Sniper” Omiping was hailed the Best Player of the Game with his 21 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

Game 2: LGU Vanguards vs. MMDA Black Wolves

Hundreds of fans of LGU Vanguards were on their foot when it faced and yielded a 66-62 victory over MMDA Black Wolves.

Big roars and cheers from the crowd for LGU Vanguards. The Vanguards fires up 66 points over MMDA Black Wolves’ 62. (Maia Garciano | Photoville International)

During the first quarter, Kiko Adriano led the scoring for the Vanguards against Jeffrey Sanders and Cyril Santiago of the Black Wolves. The Vanguards ended the first quarter with a 2-point lead, 15-13.

The MMDA’s strategic moves fired up 8-point shots in a row and made it snapped the first half of the game with a point advantage.

But it’s the Vanguards play in the third quarter again. San Juan Vice Mayor Francis Zamora drove the ball and made easy lay-ups shoving the LGU ahead by five, 42-37. Adriano’s last two-point basket in the last seconds of the quarter kept the Vanguards on the advantage, 49-46.

MMDA fought for the ball and threw four straight points in the final quarter. Peter John Villanueva gave a three-point shot making the LGU running after a 2-point lead.

In the final two minutes, Adriano’s three-pointer tied the score to 62-all.

With only 13.4 seconds in the game clock, the Vanguards kept its lead and closed the game with 4 points advantage.

Brgy. Poblacion Biñan Laguna Chairman Jayson Souza was game 2’s Best Player of the Game.

Game 3: Judiciary Magis vs. AFP Cavaliers

Former PBA cager Don “The Hammer” Camaso scores 25 points and 19 defensive rebounds advancing Judiciary Magis to a win over AFP Cavaliers on February 16 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. (Dominador Reyes, Jr. | Photoville International)

The Judiciary Magis pulled off an 84-72 win over AFP Cavaliers with Don “The Hammer” Camaso steering the game to victory. Camaso scored 25 points, 19 rebounds and was named Best Player of the Game.

All-out force AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) Cavaliers started the first quarter shooting 4 points. Season 1’s champ Judiciary Magis fought back and gained 1-point lead, 11-10. The Cavaliers did not easily raise the white flag and made the quarter a 7-point lead game with 43.3 seconds remaining. A 3-point shot, made with only less than 20 seconds left, by Roger Araneta surprised the crowd and gained the Cavaliers a favorable first quarter, 25-17.

The Magis staved off AFP’s offensive play with their 8-0 run and trimmed the lead to two, 27-25. Cavaliers felt alarmed and immediately call for a time-out. But the Magis was on for an all-out play, ended the first half holding the lead, 44-37.

The Magis’ biggest lead ballooned further to 15 points in the second half, 58-43. The Cavaliers strengthened their defense and drew up offensive plays to cut their deficit to eight, 62-54.

In the last 2 minutes of the game, AFP managed to trim five more points down, 75-72.

The Judiciary put an abrupt stop to its come back and won the game with 12 points advantage. 

(Written by Carmi Tongol-Anecito)