Malacañang gains outright UNTV semis berth

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang drew big games from Samuel Ignacio and Melvin Verches to outlast Judiciary, 69-65, and clinch an outright semis berth in the third UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Ynares Sports Arena.

A staff of Department of Tourism, Ignacio held his own against former PBA player Don Camaso to help Malacañang notch its seventh win in eight games for the first of two outright semis berths.

Ignacio finished with 18 points and seven boards while Verches and Andro Requez came through with clutch plays in the pivotal period.

The Magis closed out the second-round elims with a 6-2 mark – the same record of the Kenneth Duremdes-mentored Senate, which stunned Philippine National Police, 83-77, in the other game.

Malacañang coach Jenkins Mesina credited the team’s defense for the win, especially late in the fourth frame where they clamped down on Judiciary’s Big 3 in Camaso, John Hall and Ariel Capuz.

Political Affairs assistant Marlon Legaspi and consultant Emmanuel Baltazar starred anew for the Senate Defenders as they combined for 65 markers and 18 boards.

The third and fourth placers after the round will enjoy a twice-to-beat incentive against fifth and sixth ranked teams in the quarterfinals, while seventh and eighth placers will be eliminated.

The UNTV Cup is the Public Service Channel’s basketball league where cash prizes are donated to charities initiated by multi-awarded broadcaster Daniel Razon.