Judiciary ends AFP run in UNTV Cup

MANILA, Philippines — Upsets marred the eighth UNTV Cup last Sunday as defending champion and erstwhile unbeaten Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and two other frontrunners suffered heartbreaking defeats at the San Juan City gym.

First to fall were the AFP Cavaliers who lost to the Judiciary Magis, 78-72, in Group A elims of the event organized by UNTV president Dr. Daniel Razon for public servants.

Former Ginebra player Chester Tolomia and Jearomel Serrano waxed hot from afar, scoring 17 and 15 points, respectively, as the Magis snapped AFP’s six-game winning streak dating back to the elims.

The two-time champions Magis evened their record at 3-3 while leaving the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as the only unbeaten team in the eight-team second round with a 6-0 mark.

Also falling by the wayside were Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission and Department of Agriculture.

The Kamao dropped to 5-2 in Group B after losing to the Philippine International Trading Corporation Global Traders, 68-58, while the DA Food Masters lost for the second straight game after being nipped by the National Housing Authority Builders, 74-72.

The win improved PITC’s record to 4-2 while the Builders likewise enhanced their bid for a quarterfinal berth with a 4-3 mark – the same record of the Food Masters in Group A.

The top two finishers after the second will advance outright to the semis while the third to sixth placers play another round in the quarters where the bottom two will be eliminated.