As if the 4.45 million pesos was not enough giveaway for the third season of UNTV Cup, UNTV-BMPI CEO Daniel Razon disclosed that more teams and expanded public service await Season 4 of the league.

“Bigger and better and more enhanced,” was how Kuya Daniel wants the next season of UNTV Cup to become. “For certain, there will be more participants, and we are looking forward to better things we can offer to charities chosen by participating teams.”

Kuya Daniel disclosed that they have received new applications from other departments for the next season’s tourney.

Eleven government agencies joined season 3 of UNTV Cup.

UNTV Cup 3’s champion Judiciary Magis receives the trophy and two million pesos check after their winning game against Malacañang Patriots on April 28, 2015 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. The cash prize will be donated to the court employees who have serious illnesses and to the families of personnel who died while in service. (Photo courtesy of Photoville International)

UNTV Cup, also called the Liga ng Public Servants (League of Public Servants), allow government officials and personnel play with their colleagues as teams. At the same time, each team helps their beneficiaries that they themselves picked with their winning cash prizes at the end of the season.

The Battle for the Big Win

Excitement wrapped all corners of Smart-Araneta Coliseum as the center players of Judiciary Magis and Malacañang Patriots positioned for a jump ball while the huge crowd broke out into chants for their favorite team to win.

Close fight erupted as soon as the referee threw the ball in the air. Fired up and persistent to end the finals series that evening, the Magis saw they were in critical shape as their big man, Don Camaso, incurred an injury early in the game. Camaso had played only in the first two minutes of the first quarter.

As if Camaso’s injury was another reason to get the championship, Judiciary ran and made more shootings, ending the first quarter with a two-point lead. Malacañang tried to catch up in the second quarter doing more assists and rebounds. The first half ended still in favor of Judiciary, 39-33.

The Judiciary Magis knocks down Malacanang Patriots’ high hopes to force a rubber-match for the finals berth after showing off their offensive bomb in the hard court to win UNTV Cup Season 3 championship title. (Photo courtesy of Photoville International)

Mid of the 3rd quarter, the Magis weakened the Patriots’ defensive shield and ignited a 13-point advantage. The Patriots lost the quarter, 63-50.

In the final quarter and with only 2:51 in the clock, Malacañang fueled up their defense, steals, and assist to pull down Judiciary’s 6-point lead. But Magis proved the Season 3’s champ title is theirs.

The Big Winners

The Judiciary Magis overpowered Malacañang Patriots in a commanding 85-72, winning their second championship title in the league. This means two million pesos cash prize for the Team’s chosen charity.

The Magis won their first victory in season 1 tourney in 2013 against PNP Responders.

Judiciary donated the two million pesos to the court employees who have serious illnesses while in the service and to their beneficiaries when they pass away.

First runner-up Malacañang Patriots, on the other hand, gave their one million pesos reward to PSG Hospital and the cancer ward of Philippine Children’s Hospital.

Season 2’s champ AFP Cavaliers landed 2nd runner-up and received 500,000 pesos. Its chosen beneficiary is the AFP Educational Benefit System Office.

Third runner-up Senate Defenders granted their 250,000 pesos to Khyte Foundation and Pangarap Foundation. All other participating teams were given 100,000 pesos for their chosen charities.

Players were also awarded for their best performances throughout the league. Don Camaso stood the Best in Rebound, AFP Cavaliers Eugene Tan for Best in Assist, Jan Mann Misola of PNP Responders for Best in Blocks, and Peter Villanueva for Best in Steals. Senate Defenders Marlon Legaspi was named the Scoring Champion.

Camaso, Tan, and Legaspi were also selected as ace players for UNTV Cup First Team along with Ariel Capus and Allan “The Sniper” Omiping.

Capus, who heroically faced the playoff berths, scored19 points, 4 assists, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks and was chosen this season’s Most Valuable Player.

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Legends plays a warm-up match against the UNTV Cup All-Stars for the benefit of the legendary basketball player Samboy “Skywalker” Lim during the finals night of the UNTV Cup Season 3 held on April 28, 2015 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. (Photo courtesy of Photoville International)

Skywalker Exhibition Game: PBA Legends vs. UNTV Cup Selection

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Legends once again proved they are the kings of hard court despite advanced age as they defeated UNTV Cup All-Stars in their exhibition game during UNTV Cup 3 Finals on April 28 this year.

Named SkyWalker exhibition game, the match was organized by Kuya Daniel to help another PBA legend Samboy “The Skywalker” Lim for his medical expenses.

Kuya Daniel handed the one million pesos check to Mrs. Corazon Lim, Samboy’s mother, after the match thanking God and the earnest support of the ex-PBA players.

Written by Carmi Tongol-Anecito & Hazel David