Pacquiao, Defenders hurdle rivals in UNTV opener

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Manny Pacquiao made his much-awaited stint in the seventh UNTV Cup as the Senate Defenders opened their title-retention bid with a 73-70 thriller over Philippine International Trading Corp. Global at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Monday.

Though the fighting senator buried two triples right in the first quarter, the Defenders trailed majority of the way before unleashing a strong finishing kick to frustrate the debuting Global Traders.

“What a win to start our title-retention bid,” said Senate coach Mike Fermin. “Very scary, that’s why I told my players we can’t relax because everybody is after our heads.”

With Gary Sevilla and former PBA player Jeff Sanders at the helm, the Defenders outscored the Global Traders in the payoff period, 24-12, to snatch the win.

Dr. Daniel Razon, president and CEO of BMPI, officially opened the annual tournament for public servants with the charity of the champion team to receive P4 million. The runner-up of the annual tournament for public servants gets P2 million.

All prizes, Razon said, are tax-free.

Sevilla led the Defenders with 20 points.