Palace five notches 2nd UNTV victory

Joel Villanueva and Samuel Ignacio starred for Malacañang as the Patriots bested the Department of Justice Boosters, 96-92, for their second straight win in the 3rd UNTV Cup held over the weekend at University of Makati.

Ignacio sizzled for 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field while Villanueva, Tesda director general, added 15 points for the Patriots who grabbed the Group A with a 2-0 card.

Also contributing for the Patriots were Paul Anthony Yamamoto and Gerry Gadong who combined for 30 points.

Malacañang’s win was a fitting follow up to its 70-65 triumph over the Bureau of Fire Protection Firefighters. The Boosters fell to 0-2.

In other games, the Senate Defenders bucked the absence of coach Kenneth Duremdes to down the National Housing Authority Builders, 96-90, while the BFP Firefighters also barged into the win column with a 105-81 drubbing of the House of Representatives Solons.

Sen. Sonny Angara, Marlon Legaspi and Emmanuel Baltazar starred for the Senate Defenders by coming through with clutch baskets.

The 6-foot-4 Legaspi imposed his will inside the shaded lane to finish with 34 points, including 21 of 30 free throws. Baltazar and Angara combined for 40 points.

The champion team in the annual event organized by multi-titled broadcaster Daniel S. Razon of UNTV will receive P1.5 million. The prize money, however, will be donated to a chosen beneficiary.