Upsets marred the 8th UNTV Cup on Sunday as defending champion and erstwhile unbeaten Armed Forces of the Philippines and two other frontrunners suffered heartbreaking defeats at the San Juan City gym.
First to fall were the AFP Cavaliers who lost to the Judiciary Magis, 78-72, in Group A elims of the event organized by UNTV president Dr. Daniel Razon for public servants.
Former Ginebra player Chester Tolomia and Jearomel Serrano waxed hot from afar, scoring 17 and 15 points, respectively, as the Magis snapped AFP’s six-game winning streak dating back the elims.
The two-time champions Magis evened their record at 3-3 while leaving the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as the only unbeaten team in the 8-team second round with a 6-0 mark.
Also falling by the wayside were Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission and Department of Agriculture.
The Kamao dropped to 5-2 in Group B after losing to the Philippine International Trading Corporation Global Traders, 68-58, while the DA Food Masters lost for the second straight after being outlasted by the National Housing Authority Builders, 74-72.
The win improved PITC’s record to 4-2 while the Builders likewise enhanced their bid for a quarterfinal berth with a 4-3 mark—the same record of the Food Masters in Group A.
The top two finishers after the second will advance outright to the semis while the third to sixth placers play another round in the quarters and the bottom two will be eliminated.
First Game
JUDICIARY 78—Tolomia 17, Serrano 15, Salamat 10, Ybañez 8, Puno 6, Litonjua 6, Dionisio 4, Mustre 4, Marquez 3, Dela Cruz 3.
AFP 72—Cordero 32, Tan 8, Lumongsod 8, Fernandez 6, Rosopa 5, Quiambao 4, Zuñiga 2, Bautista 3, Pascual 2, Almerol 2.
Quarters: 23-21, 46-39, 62-51, 78-72.
Second Game
NHA 74—Mercado 28, Lustestica 12, J. Dizon 12, Prado 8, W. Tibay 7, Adolfo 3, M. Dizon 2, Crisostomo 2.
DA 72—Casaysayan 17, Silva 11, Fernandez 10, Oreta 9, Mastelero 8, Manigo 8, Comerciase 6, Dematera 3.
Quarters: 16-11, 38-32, 54-51, 74-72.
Third Game
PITC 68—Martin 17, Regalado 12, Gecale 9, Vasallo 8, Almarinez 7, Lopez 6, Taplah 5, Juan 4.
MALACAÑANG-PSC 58—Punzalan 14, Dela Cuesta 8, Jimenez 8, Besa 6, N. Javier 6, Garrido 5, Ignario 4, Antonio 4,