Dela Cuesta leads Malacañang past AFP

MANILA, Philippines - Former amateur standout Eric dela Cuesta turned in another solid showing as Malacañang downed defending champion Armed Forces of the Philippines, 73-61, to stay unbeaten in Group elims of the fifth UNTV Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center over the weekend.

Dela Cuesta, a former gunner in the defunct PBL, erupted for 26 points to lead the Malacañang Kamao to their fourth straight win while handing the reigning titlists their second straight defeat in four starts.

Malacañang and AFP slugged it out in the first three quarters but Dela Cuesta and John Jimenez took charge in the fourth and hit clutch baskets, enabling the Kamao to pull away for good.

Malacañang coach Louie Gonzalez also credited their solid defense for the win as the Kamao held Boyet Bautista to just three points in the tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon.

In the other Group A match, Bureau of Fire Protection dominated the second quarter and clobbered Senate, 90-78, for its third win in four games. The Senate Defenders fell to 0-5.

Down 14-24 after the first 10 minutes of play, the Fire Fighters sizzled in the second quarter and outscored the Defenders, 30-10, to grab the lead for good, 44-34.

Meanwhile, National Housing Authority trounced GSIS, 86-79, to notch its second straight win in the lone Group B match.

The GSIS Furies dropped to sixth place at 1-3 in the tournament offering P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team.