Senate foils Malacañang, stays in UNTV semis hunt

MANILA, Philippines - Former PBA cager Marlon Legaspi and Emmanuel Baltazar took over in the second quarter as Senate stunned erstwhile unbeaten Malacañang, 77-63, to keep its semis hopes in the third UNTV Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City over the weekend.

Legaspi and Baltazar combined for 15 of the team’s 23 points in the second period as the Defenders pulled away from a close 20-15 game en route to notching their third win in five games in Group B.

The setback dropped Malacañang to a lead share with Philippine National Police at 4-1 in Group A.

Legaspi wound up with 18 points aside from pulling down 16 rebounds while Baltazar contributed 16 points and six boards for the Kenneth Duremdes-mentored Senate squad.

Julius Roa, meanwhile, stepped up in the fourth where he poured in 10 of his 14 points in a performance that drew raves from Duremdes.

In other games, Judiciary and defending champion Armed Forces of the Philippines kept their 1-2 positions in Group B by downing their respective rivals.

Former pro Ariel Capus sizzled for 26 points as the Magis bounced back from a shock loss to the PNP Responders last week with a 102-79 drubbing of the Department of Justice Boosters.

Led by Sergeant Wilfredo Casulla Jr., the Cavaliers extend their winning run to four games since the first round elims by trouncing the Bureau of Fire Protection Firefighters, 109-77.