AFP gains first UNTV semis berth

ARMED Forces of the Philippines weathered off Senate’s strong fourth quarter comeback to pull off a 106-98 win and clinch the first outright semifinal berth in the 4th UNTV Cup held recently at Ynares Sports Arena.

Winston Sergio scattered 21 points to lead AFP’s well-balanced attack that saw six other teammates score eight points or more.

It was AFP’s second win in three games in the crossover second round elimination as it improved to 6-1 overall and assured itself of one of two automatic semifinal slots no matter the result of its last game against Philippine National Police next month.

The Cavaliers’ win likewise shut the door on the Senate Defenders, who dropped to  3-5.

In the other game, defending champion Judiciary stretched its winning run to five games with a 72-64 win over Malacañang to finish with a 5-3 record.

So intense was the AFP-Senate game that Rey Malaga was rushed by a UNTV Rescue team to a nearby hospital after he was accidentally hit on the head by Paulino Fernandez’s wayward elbow.

“He’s now OK and he’s doing well,” said Gerry Panghulan, UNTV’s vice president for administration.