Customs gets Justice minus coach

MANILA, Philippines - Bureau of Customs bucked the absence of player-coach Kenneth Duremdes as its smothered Department of Justice, 86-68, to move within a win from sweeping its group elims in the fifth UNTV Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center over the weekend.

Even without the 1998 PBA MVP winner, who was in Las Vegas as one Manny Pacquiao’s special guests, the BOC Transformers still dominated their rivals with their balanced attack and solid defense to coast to their fifth straight win in Group B elims of the tournament put up by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon for the country’s public servants.

Former UST player Berzon Franco led Customs with 25 points, most of them on inside plays as he and the 6-foot-9 Marlou Aquino imposed their will in the shaded lane.

Sam Ignacio and RV Ignacio also shone for the Transformers with 18 and 13 points while Aquino and Jherome Ejercito combined for 19 markers.

Bong dela Cruz called the shots for Customs in the absence of Duremdes.

The loss was the fifth straight for the Boosters.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police picked up its third win in four starts as House of Representatives failed to muster at least eight players present after two grace periods given by the Commissioner’s office.

The loss was the third straight for the HOR Solons after a 2-0 start.