MANILA, Philippines – Former PBA MVP Kenneth Duremdes poured in 12 points in the last quarter to power Senate to a come-from-behind 72-71 victory over Philippine National Police at the close of the first round elims in the fourth UNTV Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City over the weekend.
Duremdes, the team’s playing coach, hit all but one of his six attempts in the last 10 minutes as Senate rallied from 10 points down to snatch the win and force a four-way tie for first with its victim, National Housing Authority and Malacañang at 3-2 in Group A.
A vital cog in Alaska’s PBA Grand Slam feat in 1996, Duremdes finished with 23 points, five rebounds and a steal with Marlon Legaspi backing him up with 18 points and Sen. Sonny Angara chipping in five points.
Former University of the East player Ollan Omiping led PNP with 20 points on a dismal 6-of-16 shooting from the field.
In Group B, Bureau of Fire Protection closed out its first round campaign with an 82-68 drubbing of House of Representatives to finish second behind unbeaten Armed Forces of the Philippines at 4-1.