NHA Builders stop Senate Defenders, stay in hunt

MANILA, Philippines — National Housing Authority (NHA) kept its flickering semis hopes alive by snapping Senate’s four-game winning run with an 89-82 overtime win while PITC handed Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission its fourth straight defeat in the seventh UNTV Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center.

Through the efforts of Antonio Lustestica, Alvin Vitug and Marvin Mercado, the NHA Builders dictated the tempo before the reigning champions Defenders made a gallant comeback in the third.

Exploiting the absence of Senators Joel Villanueva and Sonny Angara, the Bennet Palad-mentored Builders made a decisive run at the start of the extra period to book their second straight win in the single-round quarterfinals.

The PITC Global Traders likewise revived their own semis bid by downing the Kamao, 89-85, in the annual tournament designed for public servants and organized by UNTV.