MMDA, Palace boost drive for semifinals

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Manila Development Authority and Malacañang came away with a pair of thrilling victories to bolster their bid for outright semifinal berths in the fourth UNTV Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena recently.

The MMDA Blackwolves drew a stellar performance from former Ginebra player Jeff Sanders to eke out a 67-64 win over the Philippine National Police Responders while the Malacañang Patriots edged the Bureau of Fire Protection Firefighters in overtime, 86-85.

Sanders drilled in four crucial points in the last 39.4 seconds as MMDA notched its third straight win in the second round of elimination.

Sanders’ tight jumper put the Blackwolves on top, 64-62, then canned in two free throws for a four-point MMDA cushion with 21.6 seconds remaining in the contest.

The Patriots, on the other hand, got a big lift from Samuel Ignacio and PSG officer Paul Anthony Yamamoto to force overtime before Jenkins Mesina took over as Malacañang regained the Group A lead at 5-3.

Defending champion Judiciary kept its flickering quarterfinal hopes alive with a 77-59 win over Senate which played without playing-coach Kenneth Duremdes.

The Judiciary Magis started the fourth frame with a slim 51-47 lead, but former PBA player Don Camaso sparked the team’s decisive run to win pulling away for a 4-3 card in the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon.

Camaso erupted for 31 points on 10-of-25 shooting from the field aside from posting 11 rebounds and two steals that enabled the Magis to extend their winning streak to four games since the first round elims for a 4-3 mark in Group B.