Expect a thrilling set of games at Pasig City Sports Complex as six teams try to start their campaign on a winning note as the fifth season of UNTV Cup resumes on September 11 (Sunday).

Duremdes-led Bureau of Customs (BOC) Transformers, the latest addition to the 13-team cast, will battle it out against the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Furies in the first game at 2 p.m.

This will be followed by the game between Ombudsman Graftbusters taking on the Malacañan Kamao at 3:30 pm.

Capping off the triple treat on Sunday is the showdown between the DOJ Justice Boosters and the resurgent House of Representatives (HOR) Solons at 5 pm.

Ombudsman, HOR, GSIS, and DOJ all failed to qualify in the second round of eliminations last season.

The Graftbusters weren’t able to grab a single win last year while HOR and Justice Boosters only managed to win a game, finishing with 1-3 and 1-4 records, respectively.

GSIS had two wins in five outings.

Kamao, which finished with 5-4 win-loss slate last season, will be led by former Alaska Aces players Edward “Poch” Juinio and Eric dela Cuesta.

Nearly P10 Million Prize for Charities

More than P9 million will be given away to the winning teams’ charities for this season. While each team represents a charitable organization, only the Judiciary Magis and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Justice Boosters are the participating teams yet to confirm their beneficiaries.

BOC picked Caritas Manila, Inc. as their chosen beneficiary while the Ombudsman chose the Ombudsman Provident Fund.

GSIS will represent the Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly and other Special Cases (GRACES). Malacañan has the Philippine Children’s Medical Center as their partner charity.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives picked the Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Missions, Inc. and Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc.

The fifth season of UNTV Cup, a brainchild of Mr. Public Service Kuya Daniel Razon, opened last August 29 in front of a full-house Mall of Asia Arena.

The two-time and defending champions Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Cavaliers seized the first win of the season against the Senate Defenders, 85-71.

Written by: John Kenneth Jaramilla