THE Bureau of Customs Transformers banked on the big plays of playing coach Kenneth Duremdes to get past the Philippine National Police Enforcers, 93-84, Sunday in the UNTV Cup Season 5 Basketball Tournament at the Pasig Sportw Center.
Duremdes fired 17 points, including nine points in the extra period to propel the Transformers to their fourth straight victory in Group B.
“Mahirap, pero napawi ito ng satisfaction for playing for charity,” said Duremdes, now 42.
UNTV Cup, now on its 5th season, is giving away more than P8 million in total prize to the chosen charities of all 13 participating government teams.
Marlou Aquino led with 25 points while Michael Sumalinog contributed 18 for the Transformers, who went on to take the solo lead in their bracket.
The 6’1” Sumalinog sent the match into an extra five minutes after he hurled triple at the buzzer, 74-all.
His triple, followed by Duremdes’ jumper in the last 3:48 of extra time allowed the Transformers to move way, 79-74, and dictate the pace of the game for the rest of the period.
The Enforcers, with Ollan Omiping topscoring for 27 points, took their first loss in three matches.
In other games, James Patrick Abugan made 27 points to lead the GSIS Furies to a 94-84 win over the DOJ Justice Boosters.
The MMDA Black Wolves, led by Peter John Villanueva with 37 points, prevailed over the Ombudsman Graftbusters.
