Judiciary turns back Palace to bolster UNTV cage bid

MANILA, Philippines — Former pro Warren Ybañez took charge as Judiciary stunned erstwhile unbeaten Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission, 93-82, to firm up its bid for a second round berth in the sixth UNTV Cup at the Pasig Sports Center over the weekend.

Ybañez shot 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds as Judiciary hiked its record to 3-1 while dealing the Malacañang-PSC Kamao their first defeat in five games in Group B elims of the annual tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon for public servants.

Chester Tolomia and Don Camaso backed Ybañez with 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Ex-UST star Christian Luanzon paced Kamao with 22 points.

In the other Group B match, the PDEA Drug Busters kept their second round hopes alive with a 109-77 drubbing of the Ombudsman Graft Busters, for a 2-3 mark.

Meantime, Bureau of Fire Protection, with ex-pro Gilbert Malabanan sizzling for 28 points, claimed its third straight win in five games by crushing COA Enablers, 132-83.

Malabanan also snared seven rebounds, dished off three assists and came through with three steals to steer BFP to the lopsided win in the tournament offering P4 million for the chosen charity of the champion team.