Department of Environment and Natural Resources continued its hot streak, claiming the scalp of National Housing Authority, 87-84, to sweep the Group B elims of the 8th UNTV Cup held recently at the Pasig City Sports Center.
Paul Parreno outshone five DENR players who scored in doubles figures as he knocked in the buzzer-beating trey that shattered a 77-all count as the Warriors notched their fifth straight in the annual tournament for public servants.
Ed Rivera scattered 17 points to lead a well-balanced DENR attack while Melvin Bangal and Archie Gamboa added 15 each and Des Ayson and Ryan Abanes combined for 21 points.
Parreno chipped in 9 points for the Warriors who matched the record of Group A topnotcher and defending champion Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Meantime, former champion Philippine National Police kept its flickering second round hopes alive by downing GSIS, 94-63, thanks to the efforts of Richard Villanueva and former University of the East player Olan Omiping.
With a 3-1 record, the PNP Responders need to hurdle their last assignment to advance to the second round of the elims in the annual tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon.
Department of Agriculture improved to 4-1 in Group A of the tournament offering P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team by downing SSS, 99-79.
After the first round, the fifth and sixth placers of each group will be eliminated.
Already out of it are SSS and GSIS.
First Game
DENR 87 – Rivera 17, Bangal 15, Gamboa 15, Ayson 11, Abanes 10, Parreno 9, Lansang 8, Atablanco 2.
NHA 84 – Lustestica 27, Vitug 22, Mercado 16, J. Dizon 5, Prado 5, Alastoy 4, Tibay 3, Sumayang 2.
Quarters: 15-20, 38-34, 59-54, 87-84.
Second Game
DA 99 – Casaysayan 24, Silva 18, Fernandez 18, Manigo 11, Dematera 8, Comeriase 7, Mastelero 6, Lim 5, Hassan 2.
SSS 79 – Quiambao 29, Aguila 25, Roman 14, Trinidad 4, Puno 3, Paclibare 2, David 2.
Quarters: 21-7, 47-33, 75-58, 99-79.
Third Game
PNP 94 – Villanueva 16, Omiping 15, Tolentino 11, Serrano 8, Cabahug 7, Abaya 7, Misola 6, Cabrera 6, Nicolas 6, Aniban 4, Decena 3, Elopre 3, Bayabao 2
GSIS 63 – Laurel 12, Nuyana 9, Gonzalez 9, Banzali 8, Cacatian 6, Ilano 5, Dela Cuadra 5, Gementera 3, Bunyi 2, Dorato 2, De Luna 2
Quarters: 28-9, 44-19, 64-44, 94-63.