Game tomorrow
(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City)
4:30 p.m. – AFP vs Malacañang
MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Armed Forces of the Philippines and Malacañang clash in a knockout match tomorrow for the right to meet Judiciary in the finals of the third UNTV Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.
The AFP Cavaliers and the Malacañang Patriots tangle at 4:30 p.m. with the momentum now on the side of the reigning titlists.
Banking on the heroics of former PBA player Eugene Tan, the Cavaliers forged a knockout match after downing the top-seeded Patriots, 74-73, in the opener of their semis series last Sunday also at the Ynares Sports Center.
The Patriots secured a twice-to-beat advantage against the Cavaliers after topping the second round elims. The winner on Sunday will face the Judiciary Magis in a best-of-three title series starting on April 12.
Aside from Tan, also expected to deliver the goods for the Cavaliers is Wilfredo Casulla Jr. while Melvin Verches, Andro Requez, Paul Anthony Yamamoto and TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva will have to raise their level of game a notch higher if they want to make it to the finals.
UNTV CEO and chairman Daniel Razon said the champion in the tournament designed for the country’s public servants will have the honor to donate its P2 million top prize to its chosen beneficiary. The runner-up gets P1 million.
The Magis, who took the other twice-to-beat bonus after registering the second best record, claimed the first finals berth after crushing Senate, 95-75, in their own semis series.
Meantime, the exhibition match between Team Skywalker – composed of former PBA stars – and UNTV All-Star will be held on April 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The exhibition game, initiated by Atoy Co, Razon and UNTV vice president for Administration Gerry Panghulan, is aimed at helping former PBA great Samboy “Skywalker” Lim.