Judiciary Magis Guard Rodolfo Roboredo (C) battles to keep ball possession against the defense of Malacañang Patriots point guard Marlon Fernandez Berganio (R) and shooting guard Rodney Daniel (L) during the UNTV Cup Season 2 Second Round Eliminations at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City, Philippines on 27 April 2014. (Maia Garciano | Photoville International)

Pasig City – The AFP Cavaliers, PNP Responders and the Judiciary Magis notched wins relevant to strengthened their chances to reach the finals of UNTV Cup Season 2.

In the first game, the AFP Cavaliers cruised to a 101-82 victory against the Senate Defenders.

Ace playmaker Alvin Zuniga paced AFP with 22 points, 4 rebounds and 9 assists while shooter Winston Sergio provided support with 14 points and 4 rebounds.

Rolando Pascual held the fort down low for AFP with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals.

Ex-pro Kenneth Duremdes carried the Senate team with 30 points.

“We really studied our chances in this season. If we could sweep the second round, we will have a good fighting chance to get either the firstt or second seed in the playoffs, which will give us the much-coveted twice-to-beat advantage,” player of the game Alvin Zuniga said in a post-game interview.

In the second game, the PNP Responders crushed the LGU Vanguards, 102-72.

PNP Responders Ollan Olivar Omiping (R) protects the ball against LGU Vanguards Off Guard Arnold Jucutan (L) during the UNTV Cup Season 2 Second Round Eliminations at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City, Philippines on 27 April 2014. (Maia Garciano | Photoville International)

The Responders used their superb team play and crisp passing to take advantage of the absence of LGU’s star shooter Kiko Adriano.

Season 1 MVP Ollan Omiping led the PNP charge with 23 points and 3 rebounds while point guard Julius Criste finished with 13 points and 5 assists.

LGU’s Ervic Vijandre made up for Adriano’s absence, finishing with 24 points.

“We really prepared to play LGU with Kiko (Adriano) around but today they played without Kiko, so it was a lot easier for us and everyone delivered,” Omiping explained about their dominating victory against LGU.

In the main game, the Judiciary Magis made up for their upset loss against MMDA last month with an escape victory against the Malacañang Patriots, 83-75.

The Magis won without their star center Don Camaso.

It was a close battle in the first half, but swingman Ariel Capus made three consecutive 3-pointers in the third quarter to bring the momentum to the Judiciary.

A pair of threes from Frederick Salamat provided the boost for the Magis in the fourth quarter to finally escape the persistent Patriots.

Ariel Capus made 24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals while John Hall finished with 23 points and 4 rebounds for the Judiciary five.

“We really adjusted in the endgame. We needed tougher defense and we needed everyone to shoot if they are free to make up for the absence of Don (Camaso),” Salamat, the player of the game, said.

AFP Cavaliers Power Forward Wilfredo Tabingo Casulla, Jr. (R) goes against Senate Defenders Guard Ronald Golding (C) during the UNTV Cup Season 2 Second Round Eliminations at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City, Philippines on 27 April 2014. (Photoville International/Maia Garciano)

UNTV Cup is an inter-agency charity basketball tournament conceptualized by Kuya Daniel Razon, who is also known as Mr. Public Service. TV network UNTV is organizer.

The UNTV Cup also features the UNTV Action Center, a one-stop-shop where fans can avail of free services from the participating agencies.

The games can also be seen on web streaming at UNTV’s official website, untvweb.com.

(Written by Jerlo Kevin Rialp)