UNTV Cup Season 8


The UNTV Cup Season 8 was the 2019–2020 season of the annual charity basketball league in the Philippines, UNTV Cup. The tournament is organized by UNTV under the UNTV-37 Foundation, Inc., thru its chairman and chief executive officer of BMPI-UNTV, "Mr. Public Service" Kuya Daniel Razon.
The season officially opened on September 9, 2019 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Regular games are held at the Pasig City Sports Center in Pasig City and San Juan Gym in San Juan City with a live telecast on the UNTV Public Service channel every Sunday afternoon. Twelve teams are competing for the championship title this season.
The best-of-three finals series was held on March 1 and 9, 2020, at the Paco Arena in Manila City and Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, respectively. The championship is between the three-time defending champion AFP Cavaliers and rookie team DENR Warriors. DENR swept the series against AFP in two games, 2–0, to get their first title in their first season, and become the only rookie team to do so.
A total of 10 million pesos tax-free was given to the teams' chosen beneficiaries, with the champion team DENR Warriors taking home a trophy, and 4 million pesos given to their chosen charity institution.
During the season, the league got its fourth AnakTV award for being a child-friendly basketball tournament.

Teams

Twelve squads are vying for the championship title of the season. There are 2 new teams and 10 returning teams, including 3 former tournament winners, led by the Season 7 defending champions AFP Cavaliers.

New Teams

Government agencyMonikerColoursJoined UNTV CupSeasons PlayedTitlesHead Coach
Armed Forces of the PhilippinesAFP Cavaliers 201373Sonny Manucat
Department of AgricultureAgriculture Food Masters 201720Rodney Santos
Office of the OmbudsmanOmbudsman Graft Busters 201540Edsel Del Rosario
Philippine Health Insurance CorporationPhilHealth Plus 2013; 201830Delio Aceron II
Philippine International Trading CorporationPITC Global Traders 201810Vic Ycasiano
Social Security SystemSSS Kabalikat 201900Dong Sulibo

Group B

Government agencyMonikerColoursJoined UNTV CupSeasons PlayedTitlesHead Coach
Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesDENR Warriors 201900Atty. Norlito Eneran
Government Service Insurance SystemGSIS Furies 201450Roger Yap
Supreme Court of the PhilippinesJudiciary Magis 201372Joey Yabut
Office of the President / Philippine Sports CommissionMalacañang-PSC Kamao 201460Raffy Gonzales
National Housing AuthorityNHA Builders 201450Bennett Palad
Philippine National PolicePNP Responders 201371Federico Samson

Elimination Round

The elimination round began on September 9, 2019 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. As part of tradition, the defending champion is to face another team on opening day based on drawing lots. The draw was performed by UNTV Cup innovator Daniel Razon and commissioner Atoy Co. On the first game of the season, the defending champion AFP Cavaliers got a big win against the PITC Global Traders, 90–70.

First Round

Group A

DateGame No.Competing TeamsScoresTop PerformerVenueLinks
September 9, 20191AFP def. PITC90–70Jerry Lumongsod
Wilfredo Casulla Jr.		Mall of Asia Arena, Bay City, Pasay City
September 15, 20193Ombudsman def. SSS110–73Bernzon Franco
Frederick Baldonado		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
September 22, 20195Agriculture def. Ombudsman78–73Henry Fernandez
Emerson Oreta		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
September 22, 20196AFP def. Philhealth91–80Wilfredo Casulla Jr.
Darwin Cordero		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
September 29, 20199PITC def. PhilHealth95–74Luis Lopez
Haddi Porto		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
October 2, 2019 12AFP def. SSS100–86Winston Sergio
Alvin Zuñiga		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
October 2, 2019 13Agriculture def. PITC68–64Emerson Oreta
Christian Dematera		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
October 13, 201915PhilHealth def. Ombudsman118–110 Mark Eduard Pedroso
Jonathan Aldave		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
October 20, 201917PITC def. SSS130–67Ryan Regalado
Manuel Juan Jr.		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
October 20, 201918AFP def. Agriculture91–84Boyet Bautista
Wilfredo Casulla Jr.		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
October 27, 201922Agriculture def. PhilHealth88–65Christian Dematera
Brian Louie Mastelero		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
November 3, 201923PhilHealth def. SSS104–80Ian Chris MazoPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
November 3, 201924AFP def. Ombudsman92–74Wilfredo Casulla Jr.
Jerry Lumongsod		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
November 6, 2019 27Agriculture def. SSS99–79Sherwin Silva
Julius Casaysayan		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
November 17, 201929PITC def. Ombudsman87–70Aloysius TaplahPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City

Group B

DateGame No.Competing TeamsScoresTop PerformerVenueLinks
September 15, 20192DENR def. GSIS101–98 Ralph LansangPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
September 15, 20194NHA def. PNP85–81Marvin Mercado
Alvin Vitug		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
September 22, 20197Malacañang-PSC def. Judiciary64–60Eric Dela Cuesta
Ian Garrido		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
September 29, 20198Judiciary def. GSIS88–72Frederick Salamat
Eric Dionisio		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
September 29, 201910Malacañang-PSC def. NHA77–76Eric Dela Cuesta
Joseph Roque		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
October 2, 2019 11DENR def. PNP88–77Ed Rivera
Ralph Lansang		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
October 13, 201914Malacañang-PSC def. GSIS102–69Joseph BesaPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
October 13, 201916NHA def. Judiciary108–101 Ralph Tibay
Waldemar Tibay		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
October 20, 201919Malacañang-PSC def. PNP75–64Jeffrey Punzalan
Joseph Roque		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
October 27, 201920DENR def. Judiciary86–65Ed Rivera
Desederio Ayson Jr.		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
October 27, 201921NHA def. GSIS80–68Jose Adolfo
Marvin Mercado		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
November 3, 201925DENR def. Malacañang-PSC80–77Ed Rivera
Arturo Atablanco		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
November 6, 2019 26NHA vs. DENR87–84Archie Gamboa
Ed Rivera		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
November 6, 2019 28PNP def. GSIS94–63Richard VillanuevaPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City
November 17, 201930Judiciary def. PNP78–72Warren YbañezPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Ave., Pasig City

Second Round

DateGame No.Competing TeamsScoresTop PerformerVenueLinks
November 21, 2019 31Malacañang-PSC def. PhilHealth98–91Visnu Das JavierSan Juan Gym, San Juan City
November 21, 2019 32DENR def. Agriculture94–85Ryan Abanes
Desederio Ayson Jr.		San Juan Gym, San Juan City
November 21, 2019 33AFP def. NHA86–84Boyet Bautista
Jerry Lumongsod		San Juan Gym, San Juan City
December 1, 201934Judiciary def. AFP78–72Chester Tolomia
Jearomel Serrano		San Juan Gym, San Juan City
December 1, 201935NHA def. Agriculture74–72Marvin MercadoSan Juan Gym, San Juan City
December 1, 201936PITC def. Malacañang-PSC68–58Marlon MartinSan Juan Gym, San Juan City
December 8, 201937Judiciary def. PhilHealth112–86Christopher Dela Cruz
John Bergonio		San Juan Gym, San Juan City
December 8, 201938NHA def. PITC71–63John Derick Dizon
Rodolfo Sumayang Jr.		San Juan Gym, San Juan City
December 8, 201939AFP def. Malacañang-PSC77–65Boyet BautistaSan Juan Gym, San Juan City
December 15, 201940NHA def. PhilHealth100–96Marvin MercadoSan Juan Gym, San Juan City
December 15, 201941Judiciary def. Agriculture81–72Chester TolomiaSan Juan Gym, San Juan City
December 15, 201942PITC def. DENR74–64Rod William VasalloSan Juan Gym, San Juan City
January 5, 202043DENR def. PhilHealth110–93Ed Rivera
Melvin Bangal		Paco Arena, Paco, Manila City
January 5, 202044Agriculture def. Malacañang-PSC78–68Emerson Oreta
Sherwin Silva		Paco Arena, Paco, Manila City
January 12, 202045PITC vs. Judiciary–Paco Arena, Paco, Manila City
January 12, 202046AFP vs. DENR–Paco Arena, Paco, Manila City

Playoffs

Quarterfinals

TBD vs. TBD

TBD vs. TBD

TBD vs. TBD

TBD vs. TBD

TBD vs. TBD

TBD vs. TBD

Semifinals

(1) TBD vs. (4) TBD

(2) TBD vs. (3) TBD

Tatluhan 3x3 Tournament

Tatluhan is UNTV Cup's second annual 3x3 basketball tournament that started on March 1, 2020, and concluded on March 9, 2020. It served as opener and intermission for Finals games. The eight participating teams include all agencies eliminated before the semifinals. Each game is maximum 8 minutes and has 12-second shot clock.
PITC became two-time 3x3 champions by defeating PhilHealth, 14-13. The Global Traders got ₱100,000 for Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, while PhilHealth got ₱50,000 their chosen beneficiary.

Teams

Results

DateGame No.Competing TeamsScoresVenue
March 1, 2020Quarterfinal 1PhilHealth def. GSIS19–15Paco Arena, Paco, Manila City
March 1, 2020Quarterfinal 2SSS def. PNP13–10Paco Arena, Paco, Manila City
March 1, 2020Quarterfinal 3Ombudsman def. Malacañang-PSC12–11Paco Arena, Paco, Manila City
March 1, 2020Quarterfinal 4PITC def. Agriculture14–9Paco Arena, Paco, Manila City
March 9, 2020Semifinal 1PhilHealth def. SSS22–19Smart Araneta Coliseum, Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City
March 9, 2020Semifinal 2PITC def. Ombudsman20–10Smart Araneta Coliseum, Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City
March 9, 2020FinalsPITC def. PhilHealth14–13Smart Araneta Coliseum, Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City

Battle for Third Place: (3) NHA Builders vs. (4) Judiciary Magis

The battle for third place was between four-time semifinalist NHA Builders and two-time champion Judiciary Magis, after they lost their semifinals series on separate opponents. NHA won the game, 74–67, and got ₱1,000,000 for their chosen beneficiary as third placer. Despite the loss, Judiciary received ₱500,000 for charity as fourth placer.

UNTV Cup Finals: (1) AFP Cavaliers vs. (2) DENR Warriors

The best-of-three finals series were held on March 1 and 9, 2020, at the Paco Arena in Manila City and Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, respectively. The championship is between the defending three-time champion and #1 team AFP Cavaliers and rookie team DENR Warriors. AFP and DENR won their semis matchup versus Judiciary and NHA, respectively, both series in two games.

Winners and Beneficiaries

A total of 10 million pesos tax-free will be given to the teams' chosen beneficiaries, with the champion team taking home a trophy, and 4 million pesos given to their chosen charity institution. The runner-up team will receive 2 million pesos for their beneficiary. One million pesos will be given to the third place team for their chosen beneficiary, while five hundred thousand pesos will be given to the fourth-place finishers' chosen charity. The other participating teams will get 100 thousand pesos for their beneficiary.
PlaceTeamBeneficiariesCash Prize
ChampionDENR WarriorsEnvironmental Heroes Foundation Inc.
Runner-upAFP CavaliersAFP Educational Benefit System Office
3rdNHA BuildersNHA Provident Fund Association, Inc.
4thJudiciary MagisJudiciary Employees Severely Affected by Typhoons and Calamities
Agriculture Food MastersProject PEARLS
PITC Global TradersBlas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute +
7thMalacañang-PSC KamaoPhilippine Children's Medical Center and Millennium Sports Support System Association Inc.
8thPhilHealth PlusPhilHealth Provident Fund +
9thPNP RespondersPublic Assistance for Rescue, Disaster and Support Services Foundation International, Inc.
10thOmbudsman Graft BustersOmbudsman Provident Fund
11thGSIS FuriesKapisanan ng mga Manggagawa sa GSIS
12thSSS KabalikatGuanella Center Servants for Charity, Inc.

Individual Awards

Season Awards

The season's individual awards were given before the start of the Game 2 of the Finals, on March 9, 2020 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The following players were named the Players of the Week.
WeekPlayer of the WeekTeamRef.

Overall Standings

TeamGPWLPCTSeason Finish
AFP Cavaliers871Semifinalist
DENR Warriors871Semifinalist
NHA Builders963Quarterfinalist
PITC Global Traders853Quarterfinalist
Judiciary Magis853Quarterfinalist
Agriculture Food Masters954Quarterfinalist
Malacañang-PSC Kamao954Second Round Elimination
PhilHealth Plus927Second Round Elimination
PNP Responders514First Round Elimination
Ombudsman Graft Busters514First Round Elimination
GSIS Furies505First Round Elimination
SSS Kabalikat505First Round Elimination

Elimination Rounds

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
September 15, 2019A2C Darwin CorderoAFP Cavaliers
October 6, 2019Roger Daquiuag Jr.PITC Global Traders
October 13, 2019Jonathan AldavePhilHealth Plus
October 20, 2019Julito Rico ComerciaseAgriculture Food Masters
October 27, 2019Melvin BangalDENR Warriors
November 3, 2019Atty. Ian MateoOmbudsman Graft Busters
November 10, 2019Julius CasaysayanAgriculture Food Masters
November 10, 2019Paul Dela CuadraGSIS Furies
November 17, 2019Luis Enrico LopezPITC Global Traders
November 17, 2019PSSg Mariano Flormata Jr.PNP Responders
November 24, 2019Jeffrey PunzalanMalacañang-PSC Kamao
November 24, 2019Brian Louie MasteleroAgriculture Food Masters
December 1, 2019Jesus PradoNHA Builders
December 8, 2019Ryan RegaladoPITC Global Traders
December 8, 2019Joseph RoqueMalacañang-PSC Kamao
December 15, 2019Rex ArmojallasPhilHealth Plus
December 15, 2019Coach Rodney SantosAgriculture Food Masters
January 5, 2020Ian MazoPhilHealth Plus
January 5, 2020Joseph BesaMalacañang-PSC Kamao

Top Plays

The following segment features the top plays of the week and elimination round.
Air DateTitleLink
September 15, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
September 22, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
September 29, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
October 6, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
October 13, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
October 20, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
October 27, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
November 3, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
November 10, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
November 17, 2019Top 10 Winning Plays of the 1st Round Eliminations
November 24, 2019Top 10 Plays of the 1st Round Eliminations
December 1, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
December 8, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
December 15, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
January 5, 2020Top 5 Plays of the Week

Featured Segments

UNTV Cup players, agencies, and beneficiaries share their thoughts in interviews.
Air DateTitleLink
September 15, 2019UNTV Cup Season 8 Opening Highlights
September 15, 2019SSS Kabalikat – Team Profile
September 15, 2019NHA Builders – Team Preparation
September 22, 2019Ombudsman Provident Fund – Beneficiary
September 22, 2019PhilHealth – Agency Profile
September 22, 2019Judiciary Magis – Team Preparation
September 29, 2019GSIS Furies – Team Preparation
September 29, 2019Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute – Beneficiary
September 29, 2019National Housing Authority – Agency Profile
September 29, 2019Sgt. John Michael Jimenez – League Pioneer
October 6, 2019Department of Environment and National Resources – Agency Profile
October 6, 2019Guanella Center, Inc. – Beneficiary
October 6, 2019Agriculture Food Masters – Team Preparation
October 13, 2019Kapisanan ng mga Manggagawa sa GSIS – Beneficiary
October 13, 2019Ombudsman Graftbusters – Team Preparation
October 13, 2019Joey Yabut – League Pioneer
October 20, 2019Philippine International Trading Corporation – Agency Profile
October 20, 2019Malacañang-PSC Kamao – Team Preparation
October 20, 2019PMSg. Japhet Cabahug – League Pioneer
October 27, 2019National Housing Authority – Priority Programs
October 27, 2019Government Service Insurance System – Agency Profile
October 27, 2019PhilHealth Plus – Team Preparation
November 3, 2019Social Security System – Agency Profile
November 3, 2019DENR Warriors – Team Preparation
November 3, 2019Philippine Children’s Medical Center – Beneficiary
November 10, 2019Environmental Heroes Foundation Inc. – Beneficiary
November 10, 2019PNP Responders – Team Preparation
November 24, 2019DENR Warriors – Priority Programs
November 24, 2019NHA Provident Fund Association, Inc. – Beneficiary
December 1, 2019Armed Forces of the Philippines – Agency Profile
December 1, 2019Philippine Children's Medical Center – Beneficiary
December 8, 2019PhilHealth – Priority Programs
December 15, 2019DENR Warriors – Priority Programs
December 15, 2019UNTV Cup is an Anak TV Seal Awardee for 2019!
December 15, 2019Sino ang Gusto Niyong Maglaban sa Championship?
January 12, 2020Sino ang Gusto Niyong Maglaban sa Championship?