Two-time champion Judiciary got an explosive game from former Ginebra player Chester Tolomia and outlasted PhilHealth, 98-93, to advance to the second of the elims in the 7th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center.
Showing he’s still got fire in his belly, Tolomia sizzled with 31 points in his exciting shootout with former Letran star Jonathan Aldave in leading the Magis to their second straight win after dropping their first three games.
The Magis and the PhilHealth Plus finished with similar 2-3 marks but the former took the fourth spot in Group B due to the winner over the other rule in the event organized by UNTV president Daniel Razon for all public servants.
In other games, Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission forged a three-way tie for Group B lead with idle Department of Agriculture with a thrilling 63-62 win over erstwhile unbeaten National Housing Authority while Philippine National Police finished Group A elims with a 3-2 card following an 89-77 win over Department of Justice.
Malacañang, NHA and DA have similar 3-1 records.
Ably backing up Tolomia was another PBA player Warren Ybanez who put on another solid all-around performance with 23 points, seven steals, six rebounds and four assists.
Aldave, on the other hand, paced PhilHealth with 33 points in the event offering P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team.
Joseph Besa starred for Malacañang’s win as he scattered 19 points, including three in the crunch to help hand NHA its first loss. He also had four rebounds and two assists while Erick dela Cuesta had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Also putting up a double-double effort was PNP’s top gun Olan Omiping with 26 points and 12 rebounds.
