UNTV Cup Season 6


The UNTV Cup Season 6 was the 2017–2018 season of the annual charity basketball league in the Philippines, UNTV Cup. The tournament was organized by UNTV under the UNTV-37 Foundation, Inc., thru its chairman and chief executive officer of BMPI-UNTV, Kuya Daniel Razon, more popularly known as Mr. Public Service.
The season officially opened on September 12, 2017 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, with fourteen teams vying for the championship title. Regular games were held at the Pasig City Sports Center in Pasig City with a live telecast on the UNTV Public Service channel every Sunday afternoon.
The best-of-three finals series was held on March 4 and 12, 2018, at the Pasig City Sports Center in Pasig City and Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, respectively. The championship is between two-time runner-up Malacañan-PSC Kamao and first time finalist Senate Defenders. Senate won the series against Malacañang-PSC in two games, 2–0, to get their first title and donate ₱4 million to their chosen charity. After the tournament, the Office of the Senate proudly sponsored a resolution congratulating the Senate Defenders for bringing home the championship title.
A total of 9.6 million pesos tax-free was given to the teams' chosen beneficiaries, with the champion team Senate Defenders taking home a trophy and 500 thousand pesos, and 4 million pesos given to their chosen charity institution.
During the season, the league got its third AnakTV award for being a child-friendly basketball tournament.
From Season 1 to Season 6, including the three off season tournaments, UNTV Cup has given a total of ₱35 million to the beneficiaries of the participating teams.

Teams

There are 14 squads who vied for the championship title of the season, including 10 returning teams led by Season 5 champions PNP Responders.

New Teams

Four new teams were introduced this season.
Three teams backed out of the competition.

Group B

Elimination round

The elimination round began on September 12, 2017. On the first round of eliminations, the tournament is divided into two groups of seven teams. The schedule follows a single round robin format in which all teams will face each other in their group once, for a total of 6 games per team.
After the first round, the bottom three teams from each group are eliminated, while the remaining eight teams advance to the second round of elimination. Win loss records from the first round will carry over to the second round, and each team will play one game against the four teams from the opposite group.
After the second round, the bottom two teams are eliminated. The top 2 teams will get outright semifinals spots, while the remaining 4 teams battle it out on the quarterfinals, with #3 team facing #6, and #4 seed playing against #5.

First round

Group A

DateGame No.Competing TeamsScoresBest PlayerVenueLinks
September 12, 20171PNP def. BFP87–79Ollan OmipingSmart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
September 17, 20173DOH def. COA122–95Leonardo Nidoy and Rommel PingolPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
September 24, 20176AFP def. GSIS103–95Boyet Bautista and Romeo Almirol, Jr.Pasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
September 27, 20179PNP def. DOH98–91Alejandro Yanquiling and Antonio TolentinoPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
October 8, 201712Senate def. BFP88–81Marlon Legazpi and James Ryan MangaranPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
October 15, 201713AFP def. COA127–103Alvin Zuñiga and Vicente EvidorPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
October 15, 201715Senate def. GSIS91–81Jeffry SandersPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
October 22, 201716PNP def. COA112–71Abdul Khair BayabaoPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
October 22, 201718AFP def. Senate72–71Wilfredo Casulla, Jr.Pasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
October 29, 201721BFP def. DOH89–68Rob Wainwright and Gilbert MalabananPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 5, 201722GSIS def. COA105–83Rene Boy BanzaliPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 5, 201724Senate def. PNP68–56Jeffry Sanders and Harley NgPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 12, 201725GSIS def. DOH83–73James AbuganPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 12, 201727BFP def. AFP104–97Gilbert Malabanan and Ryan MolinaPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 19, 201728BFP def. COA132–83Gilbert MalabananPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 26, 201732Senate def. DOH93–58Sen. Joel Villanueva and James Ryan MangaranPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 30, 201736AFP def. PNP100–92Jerry LumongsodPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
December 3, 201737Senate def. COA105–72Sen. Joel Villanueva and Michael OmegaOlivarez Sports Center, Parañaque City
December 3, 201738GSIS def. BFP81–75James AbuganOlivarez Sports Center, Parañaque City
December 10, 201741GSIS def. PNP76–68Rene Boy Banzali and James AbuganOlivarez Sports Center, Parañaque City
December 10, 201742AFP def. DOH92–71Leslie CabayaoOlivarez Sports Center, Parañaque City

Group B

DateGame No.Competing TeamsScoresBest PlayerVenueLinks
September 17, 20172DA def. PDEA104–100Jimwell Torion and Christian DemateraPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
September 17, 20174Malacañan-PSC def. NHA92–90Christian Luanzon and Eric Dela CuestaPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
September 24, 20175Judiciary def. Ombudsman115–76Chester Tolomia and Julius Caezar RabinoPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
September 27, 20177NHA def. PDEA111–88Alvin VitugPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
September 27, 20178DOJ def. DA86–82Cristo Rey Borile and Eric MabazzaPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
October 8, 201710Malacañan-PSC def. DOJ91–73Gerry GadongPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
October 8, 201711NHA def. Judiciary95–87Antonio Lustestica, Jr. and John Derick DizonPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
October 15, 201714DA def. Ombudsman98–61Christian DemateraPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
October 22, 201717Malacañan-PSC def. PDEA91–85Christian LuanzonPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
October 29, 201719NHA def. Ombudsman101–80Marvin MercadoPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
October 29, 201720Judiciary def. DOJ95–88 Chester Tolomia and Don CamasoPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 5, 201723Malacañan-PSC def. DA91–78Joseph Besa and Gerry GadongPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 12, 201726PDEA def. DOJ105–86Robert Sanz and Brillos RizonPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 19, 201729PDEA def. Ombudsman109–77Marlon BascoPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 19, 201730Judiciary def. Malacañan-PSC93–82Vincent Puno and Warren YbañezPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 26, 201731Malacañan-PSC def. Ombudsman128–79Eric Dela CuestaPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 26, 201733Judiciary def. DA112–103Chester Tolomia and Warren YbañezPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 30, 201734Judiciary def. PDEA126–82Warren YbañezPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
November 30, 201735NHA def. DA87–81Marvin MercadoPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
December 3, 201739NHA def. DOJ81–73John Derick DizonOlivarez Sports Center, Parañaque City
December 10, 201740DOJ def. Ombudsman95–73Justine Lopez and Christian CruzOlivarez Sports Center, Parañaque City

Second round

DateGame No.Competing TeamsScoresBest PlayerVenueLinks
December 14, 201743NHA def. PNP83–77Waldemar Tibay and Alvin VitugUpper Deck Sports Center, Pasig City
December 14, 201744AFP def. Judiciary74–62Wilfredo Casulla, Jr.Upper Deck Sports Center, Pasig City
December 14, 201745GSIS def. PDEA89–81Rene Boy BanzaliUpper Deck Sports Center, Pasig City
December 19, 201746PNP def. PDEA95–87Ollan OmipingJCSGO Gym, Cubao, Quezon City
December 19, 201747AFP def. Malacañan-PSC73–71Boyet Bautista and Jerry LumongsodJCSGO Gym, Cubao, Quezon City
January 7, 201848Judiciary def. GSIS90–81Don CamasoOlivarez Sports Center, Parañaque City
January 7, 201849NHA def. Senate104–100 Alvin VitugOlivarez Sports Center, Parañaque City
January 14, 201850Malacañan-PSC def. GSIS75–72Christian LuanzonPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
January 14, 201851Senate def. PDEA96–73Sen. Joel VillanuevaPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
January 14, 201852AFP def. NHA96–89Jerry LumongsodPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
January 21, 201853NHA def. GSIS99–88Antonio Lustestica Jr.Pasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
January 21, 201854PNP def. Judiciary90–57Antonio Tolentino Jr.Pasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
January 21, 201855Malacañan-PSC def. Senate63–59Christian LuanzonPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
January 28, 201856AFP def. PDEA98–90Boyet BautistaPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
January 28, 201857Senate def. Judiciary74–71Garri SevillaPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City
January 28, 201858PNP def. Malacañan-PSC77–58Ollan OmipingPasig City Sports Center, Pasig City

Playoffs

There are six teams that qualified for the playoffs. The top two teams, AFP Cavaliers and NHA Builders, already advance to the semifinals, holding also the twice-to-beat advantage. The remaining four teams will fight for the final two semifinal slots. Malacañan-PSC Kamao and Senate Defenders will have a twice-to-beat advantage on the quarterfinals against Judiciary Magis and PNP Responders, respectively.

Quarterfinals

The #4 team Senate Defenders have a twice-to-beat advantage against defending champion and #5 ranked PNP Responders, while two-time champion and #6 seed Judiciary Magis needs to win two games versus two-time finalists and #3 team Malacañan-PSC Kamao.
Both higher seeded teams won their respective series. Senate dethrone PNP in one game, 74–66, while Malacañan-PSC beat Judiciary, 79–64, to advance to the semifinals. The Defenders face top team AFP Cavaliers, and the Kamao sets a date with #2 seed NHA Builders.

(4) Senate Defenders vs. (5) PNP Responders

(3) Malacañan-PSC Kamao vs. (6) Judiciary Magis

Semifinals

The AFP Cavaliers and NHA Builders have a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals after being the top 2 teams at the end of the elimination round. Quarterfinals winners Malacañan-PSC Kamao and Senate Defenders would need to win twice to enter the finals.
Malacañan-PSC and Senate did the improbable by beating NHA and AFP, respectively, in two straight games.

(2) NHA Builders vs. (3) Malacañan-PSC Kamao

(1) AFP Cavaliers vs. (4) Senate Defenders

Battle for Third Place: (1) AFP Cavaliers vs. (2) NHA Builders

The battle for third place was between the top two seeds AFP Cavaliers and NHA Builders, after they lost their semifinals series on separate opponents with a twice-to-beat advantage. AFP won the game, 85–84, and gets ₱1,000,000 for their chosen beneficiary and ₱200,000 for their team as third placer. Despite the loss, NHA received ₱500,000 for charity and ₱100,000 for the team as fourth placer.

UNTV Cup Finals: (3) Malacañan-PSC Kamao vs. (4) Senate Defenders

The best-of-three finals series was held on March 4 and 12, 2018, at the Pasig City Sports Center in Pasig City and Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, respectively. The championship is between two-time runner-up Malacañan-PSC Kamao and first time finalist Senate Defenders. Both the semifinals underdogs won their separate series despite the twice-to-win disadvantage. Senate won the finals series against Malacañang-PSC, 2–0, to get their first title and donate ₱4 million to their chosen charity. After the tournament, the Office of the Senate proudly sponsored a resolution congratulating the Senate Defenders for bringing home the championship title.
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Winners and Beneficiaries

A total of 9.6 million pesos tax-free was given to the teams' chosen beneficiaries, with the champion team Senate Defenders taking home a trophy and 500 thousand pesos, and 4 million pesos given to their chosen charity institution. The runner-up team Malacañang-PSC Kamao received 300 thousand pesos, and 2 million pesos for their beneficiary. Two hundred thousand pesos was given to the third place team AFP Cavaliers, and 1 million pesos for their chosen beneficiary. One hundred thousand pesos was given to the fourth-place finishers NHA Builders, and five hundred thousand pesos for their chosen charity. The other participating teams got 100 thousand pesos for their beneficiary.
PlaceTeamBeneficiariesCash Prize
ChampionSenate DefendersKythe Foundation, Inc., Pangarap Foundation, Inc. and Tahanang Mapagpala Immaculada Concepcion, Inc.₱4,000,000 + ₱500,000
Runner-upMalacañang-PSC KamaoPhilippine Children's Medical Center and Millennium Sports Support System Association Inc.₱2,000,000 + ₱300,000
3rdAFP CavaliersAFP Educational Benefit System Office₱1,000,000 + ₱200,000
4thNHA BuildersNHA Provident Fund Association, Inc.₱500,000 + ₱100,000
5thPNP RespondersPublic Assistance for Rescue, Disaster and Support Services Foundation International, Inc.₱100,000
6thJudiciary MagisJudiciary Employees Severely Affected by Typhoons and Calamities₱100,000
7thGSIS FuriesKapisanan ng mga Manggagawa sa GSIS₱100,000
8thPDEA Drug BustersConfederation of Community Oriented Policing System NGOs, Inc.₱100,000
9thBFP FirefightersPhilippine Science High School Foundation Inc.₱100,000
10thDOJ Justice BoostersDepartment of Justice Employees’ Association, Silong Tanglaw Foundation, Uswag Kabataan Inc., and Nazareth Home for Children Foundation, Inc.₱100,000
11thDA Food MastersDon Bosco Foundation for Sustainable Development₱100,000
12thDOH Health AchieversDr. Gerry Cunanan Mindanao Heart Foundation, and Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko₱100,000
13thCOA EnablersCaritas Novaliches, Inc.₱100,000
13thOmbudsman Graft BustersOmbudsman Provident Fund₱100,000

Individual Awards

Season Awards

The season's individual awards were given during the halftime break of Game 2 of the Finals, on March 12, 2018 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The following players have excelled in their respective categories.
Air DateDescriptionLink
November 26, 2017Three Point Kings
December 10, 2017Top 3 Scorers
December 17, 2017Top 3 Ball Snatchers/Stealers
January 7, 2018Rebound Kings
January 21, 2018Top 3 Tapal King/Blockers
January 28, 2018Free Throw Kings

Players of the Week

The following players were named the Players of the Week.
WeekPlayer of the WeekTeamRef.
November 27–December 3, 2017Christian Luanzon Malacañang-PSC Kamao
December 4–10, 2017Gilbert Malabanan BFP Firefighters
December 11–17, 2017James Patrick Abugan GSIS Furies
December 18–24, 2017Boyet Bautista AFP Cavaliers
December 25–31, 2017Rene Boy Banzali GSIS Furies
January 1–7, 2018Eric Dela Cuesta Malacañang-PSC Kamao
January 8–14, 2018John Derick Dizon NHA Builders
February 12–18, 2018Jeffry Sanders Senate Defenders

Overall Standings

TeamGPWLPCTBest finish
Senate Defenders15123Champion
Malacañang-PSC Kamao15105Runner-up
AFP Cavaliers13103Third Place
NHA Builders1385Fourth Place
PNP Responders1165Quarterfinalist
Judiciary Magis1165Quarterfinalist
GSIS Furies1055Second Round
PDEA Drug Busters1028Second Round
BFP Firefighters633First Round
DOJ Justice Boosters624First Round
DA Food Masters624First Round
DOH Health Achievers615First Round
COA Enablers606First Round
Ombudsman Graft Busters606First Round

Elimination Round

TeamGPWLPCT
AFP Cavaliers1091
NHA Builders1082
Malacañang-PSC Kamao1073
Senate Defenders1073
PNP Responders1064
Judiciary Magis1064
GSIS Furies1055
BFP Firefighters633
DOJ Justice Boosters624
DA Food Masters624
PDEA Drug Busters1028
DOH Health Achievers615
COA Enablers606
Ombudsman Graft Busters606

Playoffs

UNTV Cup Segments

Heart of a Champion

The Heart of a Champion segment features UNTV Cup players and their lives off the court as public servants.
Air DateFeatured PlayerTeamLink
November 12, 2017A2C Jerry LumongsodAFP Cavaliers
November 12, 2017Brillos RizonPDEA Drug Busters
November 26, 2017Atty. Quijano LaureOmbudsman Graft Busters
December 3, 2017Harley NgSenate Defenders
December 10, 2017Leonardo NidoyDOH Health Achievers
December 17, 2017Adolfo Jose AdolfoNHA Builders
December 24, 2017Romeo Almerol Jr.AFP Cavaliers
January 7, 2018Vincent John PunoJudiciary Magis
January 14, 2018Romeo 'Jon' De Luna Jr.GSIS Furies
January 21, 2018MSgt. Vicente Evidor: Wheelchair donationAFP Cavaliers
January 28, 2018Carlo Magno SantiagoPDEA Drug Busters
February 11, 2018Sherman CrisostomoNHA Builders
February 18, 2018Eric Dela CuestaMalacañang-PSC Kamao

Top Plays

The following segment features the top plays of the week and elimination round.
Air DateDescriptionLink
November 12, 2017Top 5 Plays of the Week
November 19, 2017Top 5 Plays of the Week
November 26, 2017Top 5 Amazing Shots
December 3, 2017Top 5 Plays of the Week
December 10, 2017Top 5 Plays of the Week
December 17, 2017Top 10 Defensive Plays
December 24, 2017Top 10 Best Plays of the 1st Round Eliminations
December 31, 2017Top 5 Plays of the Week
January 7, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
January 14, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
February 4, 2018Top 5 Game-changing Moments
February 4, 2018Top 10 Plays of the 2nd Round Eliminations
February 11, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Quarterfinals

Player and Fan Interviews

UNTV Cup players and fans share their thoughts in interviews.
Air DateDescriptionLink
December 3, 2017Aside from basketball, what else do some UNTV Cup players love to do?
December 10, 2017Which do you think is the most improved team this season?
December 17, 2017Rising Stars
December 24, 2017Which team do you think will give you problem this 2nd round elims?
December 31, 2017Which teams do you think will go to the UNTV Cup Season 6 Finals?
January 28, 2018Who do you think will receive the MVP award this season?
February 18, 2018Players' Unforgettable Games