UNTV Cup: AFP guns for sweep of title series

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) hopes to become the first three-time champion in the UNTV Cup as the Cavaliers go for a sweep of their title series with the Senate Defenders today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Their confidence boosted by a thrilling 76-73 come-from-behind win in the opener of the bestof-three title series on March 3, the Cavaliers vowed to pull all stops in the 7 p.m. encounter to complete another year of dominant performance.

As in their previous two championships, the Cavaliers hope to get significant numbers from veterans Boyet Bautista and Eugene Tan – the same players who provided the offensive punch that flattened the reigning titlist in the tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon.

In what could be his most productive game of the season, Tan scattered18 points, including a huge three with 1:27 remaining to snatch the win from the Defenders, who led most of the way.

Using his guile most of the time, the 5-foot-7 Bautista contributed 15 points – not to mention the intangibles he provided to the team that prevented the Defenders from pulling away.

AFP’s Education Benefit Systems Office stands to receive a tax-free P4 million from UNTV if the Cavaliers go on to win the championship against a team seeking to become the first back-to-back champion in the league now on its seventh year. former US Girls’ Junior champion hard-pressed to dish out a better, stronger performance to get a crack at another crown.

Focus will also be on young Korean Hwang Min Jeong, who edged Superal by one to win the Splendido Ladies Classic last January to mark her pro debut in style. But Hwang will be as much tested as the rest of the 46-player field all primed up for battle in scorching heat at the bunker-laden par-72 layout.

Eleven amateurs are also in the fold, including Sofia Chabon, Eagle Ace Superal, Mafy Singson, Laurea Duque, Sam Dizon, Sunshine Baraquiel and Junia Gabasa.