MANILA, Philippines - PhilHealth outlasted Metro Manila Development Authority, 77-71, to secure the No. 4 spot and the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinal round at the close of the UNTV Cup elims at the Treston College Gym, The Fort, Taguig last Sunday.
PhilHealth poured in 24 points in the final period to break off a tight contest en route to a 3-3 card as it joined Armed Forces (4-2) in the cross-over quarterfinals.
Alex Noriega fired 23 points and hauled down 18 rebounds. He also added five blocks and three steals and drew solid backup from Carlo Timothy Capati, who had 17 points and 10 boards, and Richard Dominic Hernandez, who shot nine of his 13 points in the payoff period.
MMDA, which drew 13 points each from Maximo Guittap and Alden Nodado, fell to 2-4.