UNTV: Cavaliers rap Kamao, clinch No. 1 seed
Credit to Author: Tempo Online| Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2019 08:51:50 +0000
NHA’s Waldemar Tibay (#7) tries to steal the ball from behind PITC’s Aloysius Tapla (#2) during the game between the PITC Global Traders and NHA Builders. (UNTV Cup photo)
Games Sunday
(Pasig City Sports Center)
3 p.m. – Malacañang-PSC vs NHA
4:30 p.m. – Senate vs PITC
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) got off to a strong start and beat Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission, 98-87, to secure the top seeding at the close of the elimination round in the 7th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.
Through the hot-shooting of former Philippine team member Boyet Bautista and Dave Cordero, the AFP Cavaliers erected a 28-16 first quarter lead and kept their level of energy till the end to finish the two-round elims with the best record of 8-1.
For the third straight time, Cordero led the two-time champions with 22 points, including eight in the payoff period that helped repel the Kamao’s uprising.
The 5-foot-7 Bautista wound up with 19 points aside while Fred Casulla added 15 points, four rebounds and two blocks.
For finishing 1-2 in the elims, AFP and Philippine National Police (7-2) advanced outright to the semis while the Kamao slipped to No. 3.
Malacañang-PSC, defending champion Senate, PITC and National Housing Authority will play a round robin in the quarterfinals starting this Sunday with the top two finishers joining the early semifinalists.
AFP’s tough defensive stand in the payoff period put to waste the 31-point explosion of former PH team pool member (2007 SEA Games) Erick dela Cuesta.