BOC, Judiciary seek finals

MANILA, Philippines -  Newcomer Bureau of Customs and Judiciary hope to get past their respective semifinal rivals tomorrow and arrange a showdown for the fifth UNTV Cup crown at the Pasig City Sports Center.

The BOC and Judiciary took the top two spots in the elims to gain twice-to-beat edges in the semis with the Transformers taking on the No. 4 Malacañang Kamao at 3 p.m. and the Magi colliding with the fourth seed Philippine National Police Responders at 5 p.m.

BOC and Judiciary need only a win to advance to the finals of the annual event organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon.

PNP actually tied the top two at the elims of the qualifiers with 8-3 cards but the Transformers took the top seeding based on the winner-over-the-other rule. Judiciary claimed the No. 2 spot.

The chosen charity institution of the champion team in the annual event for public servants gets P4 million.

Expected to lead the Customs bid are former PBA MVP Kenneth Duremdes, ex-Ginebra star Marlou Aquino and a couple of former UAAP veterans who have been instrumental to the team’s big wins over fancied rivals.  “Malacanang is a tough team so we need to defend well against their outside shooters,” said Duremdes referring to Eric dela Cuesta and Christian Luanzon.

Ollan Omiping needs to inspire PNP teammates to give it all as they will be up against a formidable Judiciary squad led by Chester Tolomia, Don Camaso, Ariel Capus and Warren Ybanez.