Customs, Palace sweep UNTV elims

MANILA, Philippines - Newcomer Bureau of Customs and Malacañang bested their rivals in contrasting fashions and swept their respective groups elims in the fifth UNTV Cup at the Pasig Sports Center over the weekend.

Playing-coach Kenneth Duremdes, Marlou Aquino and Rizal Ignacio took charge in the clutch as the BOC Transformers scored a come-from-behind 77-75 victory over the National Housing Authority (NHA) Builders to complete their sweep of the seven-team Group B elims.

The 6-foot-9 Aquino scored 19 points while Ignacio and Duremdes chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively.

The Malacañang Kamao, on the other hand, completed their 5-0 romp in Group A, drubbing the MMDA Black Wolves, 72-55, in the tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon.

Former UST star Christian Luanzon spearheaded the Kamao’s hot start on their way to a 31-15 bulge before hiking the lead to 44-24 at the break.

Luanzon also drew solid backup from John Michael Jimenez and Visnu Javier, who scored 12 and 10 points, respectively.

In the other Group B match, former champion Judiciary drew big games from Chester Tolomia and Don Camaso to edge Philippine National Police in overtime, 82-80.