Malacañang proved steadier down the stretch to pull off a 91-88 win over defending champion Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in their knockout match and secure the second finals berth in the 3rd UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Andro Requez starred once again for the Patriots, scoring four points in the last 90 seconds, including two pressure-packed charities as Malacañang finally repulsed AFP’s rally in Game 2 of their semis series.
With the win, the Patriots arranged a best-of-three title showdown with Judiciary Magis starting on April 12 also at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Magis advanced to the finals by crushing the Senate Defenders in their own semis series, 95-75, two weeks ago.
Both the Patriots and Magis secured twice-to-beat bonuses against their rivals for finishing 1-2 at the end of the second round elims.
The champion team in the annual tournament initiated by UNTV CEO and Chairman Daniel Razon will receive P2 million which it will donate to its chosen charity institution. The losing finalist will also donate its P1 million prize to its chosen beneficiary.
For a while, the Cavaliers appeared headed for another big win when they wrested the lead, 84-83, on a triple by Alvin Zuniga.
But it proved to be their last stand as Malacañang center Samuel Ignacio and Requez came through with clutch baskets that denied AFP a second trip to the finals.