Firefighters send Cavaliers crashing back to earth

THE BFP Fire Fighters stained the AFP Cavaliers’ spotless record with a 104-97 win to give the soldiers their first defeat of the season in the UNTV Cup Season 6 on Sunday at the Pasig City Sports Center.

BFP playing coach Gilbert Malabanan believes that the team’s extra effort during its practice sessions and in the game bore fruit.

“Pinaghandaan namin iyan. Sinabi ko iyan sa mga players ko, hindi namin kakayanin iyan kapag magpa-practice lang kami. Kailangan namin mag-extra effort talaga. Nakita naman namin ang conditioning na ginawa namin sa kalaban, so nagbunga talaga ang hirap namin,” said Malabanan.

AFP Assistant Coach Ronald Cahanding admitted that the team’s lack of defense was a culprit of their loss.

“Kung makikita natin ‘yung game, natapos na high score. So ang nangyari talaga sa amin, ang sama ng defense namin. Nakita niyo naman ang taas ng score nila, ang dami naming ibinigay na fast break,” said Cahanding.

AFP now has a 3-1 record, while BFP claimed its first win in four games.

Meanwhile, the PDEA Drug Busters stunned the Justice Boosters, 105-86, for its first win in the league of public servants.

PDEA was able to limit DOJ’s outside shooting and intensified its defense in the paint area.

“‘Yung mga shooter lang habulin nila, ‘di bale na maliit sila basta may challenge. Tapos ang mga big man, pinigilan nila sa ilalim,” Drug Busters’ coach Felix Armando said.

PDEA’s Robert Sanz and Brillos Rizon made a combined 56 points and were hailed as the Best Players of the Game.

In another game, the GSIS Furies notched its second win after toppling the DOH Health Achievers, 83-73.

Forward James Patrick Abugan led the Furies with 22 points and six rebounds and was named the game’s Best Player.

GSIS now has a 2-2 record, while DOH slipped to 1-3.