Sports

AFP Cavaliers first to enter 7th UNTV Cup Finals

Published

5 years ago

February 12, 2019

FILE: AFP and MAGNOLIA connection
#Barroca
#Mendoza (Photo: Darwin Cordero/Facebook)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is aiming for a third championship as they enter the finals of the 7th UNTV Cup after conquering the National Housing Authority last Tuesday, February 12 at the Pasig City Sports Center.

The highest-pointer from AFP was Darwin Cordero, who contributed a game-high of 30 points for the Cavaliers, while Willy Casulla provided 17 points and three rebounds. Former national team members Eugene Tan and Boyet Bautista chipped double-digits as well at 10 points, the four members of the AFP squad leading their team to sweep the best-of-three semi-finals games.

The Cavaliers are now awaiting for who their opponent will be for the season’s finals – either defending champions the PNP Responders of the Senate Defenders. The latter team, which is coached by Adamson juniors coach Mike Fermin, most recently already had a win against the Responders at 74-69. They were led by James Ryan Mangaran, who performed with 17 points and Rey Malaga, Jr, who contributed 12. They were able to limit former University of the East (UE) Red Warrior Ollan Omiping to just 12 points compared to his regular almost-30. The next match of the two teams is on February 24, which will decide who is placing their bid in the finals. Currently, both teams have won one game in the best-of-three semis.

The UNTV Cup is an annual charity basketball league held in the Philippines, organized by UNTV-37 Foundation, Inc. The 7th UNTV Cup is headed by President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Daniel Razon, also known as “Mr. Kuya Public Service.” This season officially opened last September 3, 2018, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and are shown through live telecast on the public service channel every Sunday afternoon.

There are a total of 12 teams in this current season. For the champion of the tournament, the chosen charity of the winning team will receive P4 million tax-free prize, while the second-placer will receive P2 million in cash.