Blackwolves barge into UNTV semis

Metro Manila Development Authority clinched an automatic semifinal berth while National Housing Authority kept its quarterfinal bid alive in the 4th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The MMDA Blackwolves bucked the absence of GlobalPort assistant coach Johnedel Cardel to trounce the Senate Defenders, 92-65, and barge into the Final Four with a 7-2 card.

With Jeff Sanders and Peter John Villanueva at the helm, the Blackwolves took a 28-14 advantage at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.

The NHA Builders were equally sharp as they brought down the AFP Cavaliers, 96-76, to revive their flickering quarterfinal bid alive.

Tony Lustestica exploded for 29 points, including eight in a fiery second quarter assault that saw the Builders outscore the Cavaliers, 35-19, en route to a 55-37 halftime lead.

The Builders were never in trouble after that as they improved their record to 4-4 while denying the Cavaliers’ bid for a similar outright berth.

The Cavaliers slipped to 6-2.

In another game, Philippine National Police snapped a two-game skid with a 68-66 win over Judiciary.