Judiciary tops PNP, nears UNTV Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Judiciary got the much-needed support from its bench in the crucial stretch to beat erstwhile unbeaten Philippine National Police, 80-76, and move a win away from the 1st UNTV Cup championship Sunday at the Treston College Gym in Global City, Taguig.

John Herbert Bergonio and Frederick Salamat combined for nine points in the final 10 minutes to deliver the killer blows for Judiciary while main men Don Camaso and Ariel Capus were handcuffed by PNP’s stingy defense.

“Nagtulungan lang sila sa huli. Teamwork ang susi sa panalo (It was teamwork that keyed this win),” said coach Dennis Balason, whose wards can wrap it all up with another victory in Game Two of the best-of-three series.

John Hall also waxed hot in the final quarter, drilling six in the pivotal period as the team secured the triumph despite squandering a 13-point spread at the halfway mark.

Judiciary will seek to finish off PNP and bag the P1 million cash offered by organizer Breakthrough and Milestones Production International headed by chairman and CEO Daniel Razon on Nov. 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.