The fifth edition of the charity basketball league UNTV Cup promises to be bigger and better with 13 government agencies suiting up to give fans intense basketball action from the tip-off on Monday, August 29 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

With the slogan “Ang Liga ng Public Servants,” Kuya Daniel Razon conceptualized UNTV Cup as a project aimed at promoting unity, sportsmanship, and physical fitness among government officials. Its first season started in July 2013. UNTV News and Rescue airs the games. Kuya Daniel is the Chairman and CEO of UNTV-Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International (BMPI).

More Teams Playing

With the addition of Bureau of Customs Transformers, this season’s cause-oriented league will be comprised of 13 participating teams, headlined by defending champions, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Cavaliers.

The eleven other teams include runners-up Philippine National Police Responders, Bureau of Fire Prevention Firefighters, Department of Justice Boosters, GSIS Furies, House of Representatives Solons, Judiciary Magis, Malacañan Patriots, MMDA Black Wolves, National Housing Authority Builders, Ombudsman Graft Busters and the Senate Defenders.

The past four seasons of UNTV Cup didn’t fail to amaze basketball aficionados and casual viewers alike with its high-octane, adrenaline-pumping brand of play. Last season’s championship series between the AFP Cavaliers and AFP Responders was no exception, with the Cavaliers needing the full 48 minutes of the tie-breaking Game 3 to finally clinch the crown, their second in four seasons.

Playing for a Cause

Beyond the exciting basketball action is a bigger story, however, as the participating teams are competing for a chance to win a grant for their partner charitable organizations.

Season 4 saw the top 4 finishers AFP, PNP, MMDA and NHA donating a total of P7 million to their partner charities: AFP Educational Benefit System Office, PNP Sports Development Program, Sangguniang Masang Pilipino International Foundation, Inc., Philippine General Hospital – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Philippine Cerebral Palsy, Inc., Damayan Fund through the MMDA Provident Fund, and the NHA Provident Fund Association, Inc.

UNTV organizing committee is yet to announce the total cash pool for this season.

Basketball fans are also winners as each UNTV Cup game also features UNTV’s public service booth, which is a one-stop-shop action center hosted by the participating government agencies offering services from scholarship and health assistance to checking of criminal cases and traffic violations.

More Charitable Projects

Aside from UNTV Cup, Kuya Daniel, who is also known by the title Mr. Public Service, pioneered several projects for the benefit of the people, such as free bus rides, free medical and dental consultations, free legal assistance, and free college education. He also revolutionized Philippine broadcasting by introducing fresh concepts like “Tulong Muna Bago Balita” (English: Rescue First, Report Later), mobile radio booth, and drone journalism, among others.

Kuya Daniel is committed to continuing the one-of-a-kind public service efforts of UNTV Cup on its fifth season during the last season’s final game pre-game ceremony.

“We are looking forward to a bigger season 5. With God’s help, we are going to continue to serve more people in need,” he previously said in an interview. “So like what we keep on saying, let us not forget to continue doing good because no good deed will result to evil.”

Appreciation from Observers

People have come to appreciate the genuine help the charity league has given in its five years of existence.

“We would like to thank UNTV, Bro. Eli Soriano and Kuya Daniel Razon because of this project”, said Mr. Elpidio Tanaliga, Jr., Founding Chairman of Sangguniang Masang Pilipino International Foundation.

Meanwhile, Col. Genaro Menor, the Chief General Manager of the AFP Educational Benefit System Office exclaimed: “No other tournament or basketball game gave us this kind of help to us aside from UNTV.” He added, “May God be the one to return the favor to UNTV for helping AFP.”

Written by: Jerlo Kevin Rialp