Malacañang, PNP start duel

Games Today (Pasig City Sports Center) 3 p.m. Judiciary Magis vs BOC Transformers 5 p.m. PNP Responders vs Malacañang Kamao

Denied thrice, Philippine National Police (PNP) hopes to end its misfortunes when it faces Malacañang today at the start of their best-of-three title series in the UNTV Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center.

The third seeded PNP Responders and the fourth-ranked Malacañang Kamao clash at 5 p.m. with both teams out to follow up their semis series wins over twice-to-beat No. 2 Judiciary Magis and the top seeded Bureau of Customs Transformers, respectively.

Getting inspired games from PO2 Alejandro Yanquiling, Ollan Omiping and Julius Criste, the Responders capped their series win with 74-72 thriller over the two-time Judiciary two weeks ago.

The Kamao, on the other hand, beat the Kenneth Duremdes-led BOC, 80-76, in the knockout match of their semis series.

Expected to lead the Kamao are former University of Santo Tomas player Christian Luanzon, Eric dela Cuesta and Ian Garrido.

The annual tournament for public servants organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon offers 14 million to the champion which it will donate to its chosen charity. The bonus of 1500,000 will be shared by each member of the winning team. The runner-up gets 12 million. PNP has Police Community Relations Group’s “Drug Rehabilitation Program” as its chosen charity while Malacañang picked Philippine Children’s Medical Center as its recipient.