The PNP Responders reached the finals of UNTV Cup for the third time as they will try to finally notch the championship of the only charity-basketball league in the country. (Photo by Russell Julio, Photoville International)

Underdog teams Malacañang Kamao and PNP Responders escaped with hard-fought victories last Sunday (Feb 19) at the Pasig City Sports Center to secure their trip to the much-awaited UNTV Cup Season 5 Finals on March 5.

It was the first time in the inter-agency charity basketball league’s history that two lower-seeded teams advanced to the championship series in which both teams have to win twice over their respective rivals.

Against All Odds, Malacañang and PNP Defy Odds

In the first game, the PNP Responders dethroned two-time league champions Judiciary Magis, 74-72, after a late surge brought them ahead in the last few moments of the game.

The Magis were ahead by as many as 17 points, but the Responders refused to go down and kept on chipping away on the lead. A crucial three-point shot by forward Alejandro Yanquiling from the right wing tied the game at 72 with 1:24 remaining in the game. A couple of defensive stops and split charities from Yanquiling and PNP’s star shooter Ollan Omiping settled the final score for the Responders.

After the game, PNP head coach Erick Samson remarked, “I told them not to give up. It is important to stay focused in the game. Do not be tight, relax, defend well.”

Yanquiling, who produced 11 points, and PNP’s center Harold Sta. Cruz, who added nine points and ten rebounds, were hailed as co-players of the game.

Meanwhile, the Malacañang Kamao escaped with an upset against league powerhouse Bureau of Customs Transformers with the score of 80-76.

It was a nip and tuck affair in the final canto, but a number of costly turnovers in the endgame for BOC proved to be the big difference for the Palace five.

“We must have a sense of urgency if we really wanted this game”, Malacañang head coach Louie Gonzales said in a post-game interview. “I told them, I need you to make some more effort, lower the opponent’s lead, and let’s talk about it more. And they did.”

Former UST star Christian Luanzon led the way for Malacañang with 18 points, 4 assists, 3 steals and two blocks. Kamao forward Joseph Besa provided ample support with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Both were also co-players of the game.

UNTV Cup: A True League of Public Servants

UNTV Cup Season 5 offers more than 10 million pesos to the winning teams and their partner beneficiaries. (Photo by Kenji Hasegawa, Photoville International)

The UNTV Cup, carefully planned and executed by Kuya Daniel Razon, BMPI-UNTV Chairman and CEO, has been zealous in its efforts to provide genuine public service through sports.

Now on its fifth successful run, the UNTV Cup offers more than 10 million pesos in cash prize to the winning teams and their partner beneficiaries through the efforts of UNTV and the league’s primary sponsor Members Church of God International and its Overall Servant Bro. Eli Soriano.

The league also pioneered in providing assistance to the viewing public through its one-stop-shop Action Center, where the people could ask for assistance for their concerns with the various government agencies through UNTV.

These efforts by the so-called league of public servants, led by Kuya Daniel, did not go unnoticed as it was recently given a citation by the Philippine Sportswriters’ Association in this year’s PSA Annual Awards.   

The first game of the UNTV Cup Season 5 finals series will be on March 5 at the Pasig City Sports Center, which will be broadcasted live on UNTV News and Rescue channel and on the UNTV official website livestream.

Written By Jerlo Kevin Rialp