Joel Villanueva of team Malacañang Patriots (C) points out a strategy during the time out of the team in the UNTV Cup Season 2 Elimination Round held atthe Meralco Gym, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines on March 9, 2014.
Team Malacanang Patriots wins over Team Senate Defenders with the score 81-75. (Joy Reyes | Photoville International)

Malacañang Patriots clinched its first win of the tournament after a tight contest with the Senate Defenders, 81-75, during the fourth week elimination games of UNTV Cup 2 last Sunday at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City.

The Judiciary Magis, on the other hand, escaped a furious last minute rally by the DOJ Avengers to win by 5, 101-96, and claim their third straight victory of the tournament.

Game 1: Malacañang Patriots vs. Senate Defenders

The Patriots edged out its opponent with excellent guard play and solid full court defense to make up what they lack: height advantage. Their resolve negated another stellar performance from hall-of-fame forward Kenneth Duremdes and early leads for the majority of the game.

The Defenders were not to be outdone, however, as Duremdes led a Senate charge that brought them to a 75-all deadlock.

At that point, the Patriots turned their full court pressure up a notch to keep the Defenders scoreless in the last two and a half minutes of the game.

Spitfire guard Gerry Gadong made a crucial steal and short jumper that gave the lead back to Patriots. An assist off a drive by TESDA Chief Joel Villanueva to a wide open Greg Malapit settled the final score in favor of Malacañang.

Patriots slotman Greg Malapit led the Malacañang charge with 17 points and 6 rebounds. Duremdes, on the other hand, carried the Senate with 31 points and 10 rebounds.

Supporters of Team Senate Defenders cheer during the UNTV Cup Season 2 Elimination Round held at the Meralco Gym, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines on March 9, 2014. 
Team Malacañang Patriots wins over Team Senate Defenders with the score 81-75. (Charlie Miñon | Photoville International)

Sgt. Gerry Gadong from the Presidential Security Group was hailed the game’s best player with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists off the bench for the Patriots.

“Coach (Jenkins Mesina) instructed us to focus on our trapping defense and our game because we still didn’t have a feel for each other in our previous game,” Gadong stated in an interview after the game. “We did well today, we were able to adjust and focus in the game.”

With the win, Malacañang goes up to 1-1 while the Senate goes down to 1-2 in the team standings. 

Game 2: Judiciary Magis vs. DOJ Avengers

The Judiciary Magis emerged with a surprising win, toughening up their lead after a dragging battle with its opponent squad. 

Sixty-two fouls were called between the two teams and with the Avengers leading in the game early that it managed the first quarter with a 19-18 advantage, it was unpredictable who will win last Sunday’s game.

The Magis then stepped up in the second quarter by imposing their dominance, anchored on ex-pro Don Camaso to reclaim the lead by halftime, 47-41.

The onslaught continued in the second half, and with Avenger’s key player Ian Garrido fouled out as early as the third quarter, the chances seemed bleak for the DOJ to claim victory. 

Ariel Capus (L) of Team Judiciary Magis puts up a defense against Paul Gerald Reguera (R) of Team DOJ Avengers during the UNTV Cup Season 2 Elimination Round held at the Meralco Gym, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines on 09 March 2014.
Team Judiciary Magis wins over Team DOJ Avengers with the score 101-96. (Rey Calinawan Vercide | Photoville International)

The Judiciary kept the advantage, posting a 98-90 lead with a minute remaining. It was from there that DOJ’s sweet shooting forward Paul Reguerra carried his team on his back, which eventually forced the Magis to commit turnovers and converting on key baskets at the other end. 

DOJ’s efforts proved to be futile, however, as there was not enough time to successfully mount a win.

Camaso led the Judiciary five with 33 points while another ex-pro, Ariel Capus, provided ample back-up with 26 points. 

Reguerra paced DOJ with 33 points on 5 three pointers, coupled with 7 rebounds and 3 steals.

Magis forward Joey Yabut came off the bench with 11 points on a perfect 3/3 on the field, good enough to be declared as the best player of the game.

“We hope that our winning streak will continue up to the crossover stage so that we will secure the top seat in our group, which will give us the automatic semis berth and the twice-to-beat advantage,”Yabut said about the Judiciary’s run to repeat their championship. 

(Written by Jerlo Kevin Rialp)