Angelica Alita, Bb. Pilipinas 2016 First Runner-up, was the only rose among the thorns in the PNP Team the PNP Responders during the launch of the 5th UNTV Cup basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Alita, who is predicted to return next year and grab one of Bb. Pilipinas titles, was invited to act as “Community Ambassadress” of the Philippine National Police (PNP), one of the 13 teams formed from various government agencies taking part in the annual charity basketball tournament. Police Community Relations Group Command Group led by PCRG Director PSSupt Gilberto DC Cruz guided the PNP Responders for the said tournament.
The 21-year-old Alita, a former ABS-CBN “My Girl” finalist, was easily the star of the UNTV Cup opening ceremony along with the popular twosome Senators Sonny Angara and Joel Villanueva from the Senate Defenders team. “I am thrilled to be a part of this sports event and I did not know that Senators Sonny and Joel play basketbal,” said the “Star Magic” talent, model and chef.
The 13 competing teams of the 5th UNTV Cup are defending champions Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Cavaliers, PNP Responders, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Blackwolves, National Housing Authority (NHA) Builders, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Firefighters, Judiciary Magis, Malacañang Kamao, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Furies, House of Representatives Solons, Department of Justice (DOJ) Justice Boosters, Ombudsman Graftbusters, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Transformers and the Senate Defenders. Each of these UNTV Cup team choose a beneficiary or a charity to support with their winning prizes.
Senators Angara and Villanueva used to find time to play some basketball in mini-friendly tournaments at the Senate. Angara played for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons while “Tesdaman” Villanueva was a member of the UST Growling Tigers that won the 56th & 57th UAAP Season.
Senators Bam Aquino and Win Gatchalian were also part of the Senate Defenders, with Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto as playing team manager. Senator Manny Pacquiao withdrew from joining the team due to restrictions in his contract in the PBA league as playing coach of Mahindra. A UPC (Uniform Players Contract) prohibits any PBA player from joining other tournaments.
The Senate Defenders chose the NGOs Kythe Foundation which helps hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illness, Bahay Pangarap Foundation for street children in Pasay City and Share an Opportunity Philippines, which works with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice, as beneficiaries. The 5th UNTV Cup games are telecast over UNTV Channel.