MMDA, Malacañang boost UNTV bids

STANDINGS: Group A—Malacañang 5-3, PNP 4-3, NHA 3-4, Senate 3-4; Group B—AFP 5-1, MMDA 6-2, BFP 5-3, MMDA 5-2, Judiciary 4-3

METRO Manila Development Authority and Malacañang boosted their bids for the two outright semifinal berths with close wins in the 4th UNTV Cup held recently at Ynares Sports Arena.

Former pro player Jeff Sanders knocked down four points in the last 39.4 seconds to eke out a 67-64 win over the Philippine National Police Responders while the Malacañang Patriots edged the Bureau of Fire Protection Firefighters in overtime, 86-85.

Sanders’ tight jumper gave the Blackwolves a 64-62 lead before converting two free throws that padded MMDA’s advantage to four, 21.6 seconds remaining.

The win was MMDA’s third straight win as it remained spotless in the second round of elimination.

The Patriots, on the other hand, got a big lift from Samuel Ignacio and Presidential Security Guard officer Paul Anthony Yamamoto to force a five-minute extension before Jenkins Mesina rose to the occasion in overtime to regain the Group A lead with a 5-3 mark.

Defending champion Judiciary kept its flickering quarterfinal hopes alive with a 77-59 win over Senate which played without playing coach Kenneth Duremdes.