Defenders, Builders rap rivals, wrest UNTV lead

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Senate and National Housing Authority beat their respective rivals in contrasting fashions to seize the early lead in the seventh UNTV Cup at the GSIS gym in Pasay over the weekend.

The Senate Defenders rode on a big third quarter run to dump the GSIS Furies, 78-51, in Group A while the NHA Builders outlasted the PhilHealth Plus, 103-100, in Group B.

Garri Sevilla and Jeffrey Sanders took charge for the Defenders coming off the break as Senate, which also drew a big outing from Sen. Sonny Angara, outscored GSIS, 25-14, to pull away at 57-41 on their way to notching their second straight victory in the tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon.

Sevilla sizzled for 18 points while Sanders and Angara chipped in 10 and seven points, respectively.

The Builders, on the other hand, went to Marvin Mercado, John Dizon and Michael Dizon in the crunch to foil Plus and match Senate’s hot start in the tournament offering P4 million to the charity of the champion team.

In the other Group A match, former champion Philippine National Police rebounded from a shock defeat to GSIS last week by downing PITC, 80-77.