Two-time champion Armed Forces of the Philippines clinched the first outright semis berth with a 79-73 win over Department of Agriculture in the 7th UNTV Cup held recently at the JCSGO gym in Cubao.
With Darwin Cordero firing on all cylinders, the AFP Cavaliers outscored the DA Food Masters, 31-10, in the first quarter on the way to posting their seventh win in 8 games, assuring themselves of a semis berth even if they drop their last game.
Cordero was almost unstoppable, finishing with 24 points spiked by three triples on an impressive 10-of-14 shooting from the field. He also had three rebounds and two assists
DA’s defeat was its fifth straight since going 3-1 in the first round, thus missing the chance to play in the playoffs of the tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon for public servants.
In other games, Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission likewise boosted its own outright bid by downing PITC, 69-64, while defending champion Senate nipped National Housing Authority, 98-97, in overtime.
Reynaldo Malaga struck hardest, scoring six points in the extra period as the Senate Defenders improved to 5-3. He was ably supported by Marlon Legaspi, who tallied 22 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two boards in the event offering P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion.
In posting their 6th win in seven games, the Malacañang-PSC Kamao went to Marvin Antonio and Michael Ignacio in the crunch to pull through.
Antonio had 16 points, while Ignacio added 15—most of them came in the third enabled the Kamao to complete their comeback from a 25-12 deficit in the first quarter.
Standings: AFP (7-1), Malacañang-PSC (6-1), PNP (6-2), Senate (5-3), NHA (4-4), PITC (4-4), Agriculture (3-6), Judiciary (3-5)
