Malacañang–Philippine Sports Commission pulled off another come-from-behind win, this time nipping National Housing Authority, 77-76, in Group II elims of the 8th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center.
The President’s men trailed the Builders in the first two quarters then outscored the Builders in the third to gain the initiative which they maintained to prevail and take the early Group II lead.
Former PH team pool member Eric dela Cuesta topscored for the Kamao with 19 points while Joseph Roque and Ian Garrido combined for 29 points as they helped negate the 34-point explosion of Alvin Vitug in the tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon.
The Benneth Palad-mentored NHA slipped to 1-1.
Judiciary bounced back from a 64-60 defeat to the Kamao by downing the GSIS Furies, 88-74, in the other Group II match while Haddi Porto and Louis Lopez scored 22 points each in leading the Philippine International Trading Corporation to a 95-74 win over Philhealth in the lone Group I elims.
PITC’s win was its first in two games while handing the PhilHealth Plus their second straight in the event for public servants.
Former Ginebra player Chester Tolomia led the Judiciary Magis with 24 points but it was Frederick Salamat who turned the game around in their favor, draining five triples on the way to 19 points.
Rookies Erik Dionisio and Cristopher Dela Cruz made their presence felt by combining for 30 points and 17 rebounds in the event offering P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team.
First Game
Judiciary 88—C. Tolomia 24, F. Salamat 19, E. Dionisio 17, E. Dela Cruz 13, H. Bergonio 7, R. Malinao 5, C. Roma 2, V. Puno 1
GSIS 74—R. Banzali 29, C. Gonzalez 10, R. Laurel 10, N. Cacatian 9, K. Ilano 7, T. Gementera 4, P. Dela Cuadra 2, M. Nuyana 2, T. Hernandez 1
Quarters: 27-13, 46-36, 60-52, 88-74.
Second Game
PITC 95—H. Porto 22, L. Lopez 22, M. Martin 13, R. Vasallo 10, R. Regalado 9, M. Juan 8, A. Taplah 5, R. Daquioag 2, R. Barbers 2, M. Gecale 2
PHILHEALTH 74—J. Aldave 20, K. Emata 11, R. Armojallas 10, E. Malana 10, E. Pacheco 9, J. Hierro 4
Quarters: 20-12, 42-34, 67-52, 95-74.
Third Game
MALACAÑANG-PSC 77—E. Dela Cuesta 19, J. Roque 18, V. Javier 12, I. Garrido 11, J. Jimenez 4, N. Javier 3, J. Punzalan 3, R. Abalos 1
NHA 76—A. Vitug 34, M. Mercado 14, J. Dizon 9, A. Lustestica 9, J. Alastoy 4, W. Tibay 2, A. Palad 2, J. Forbes 1, R. Tibay 1
Quarters: 17-22, 33-39, 60-59, 77-76.