DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources clinched the second outright semis berth with a 110-93 win over PhilHealth in the 8th UNTV Cup over the weekend at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Ed Rivera and Melvin Bangal came through with big shots in a decisive second quarter attack as the DENR Warriors turned what started as a tight contest into a rout.
Rivera tallied 25 points and eight boards while Bangal finished two assists shy from completing a double-double after posting 18 points, 9 assists and three boards for the Warriors who trailed the PhilHealth Plus 31-28 at the end of the first quarter.
Apart from securing an automatic semis slot in the annual tournament for public servants that offers P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team, the Warriors likewise tied idle and defending champion Armed Forces of the Philippines for the lead at 7-1.
That set a fitting climax to the second round of eliminations as the Warriors and Cavaliers dispute the top seeding on Sunday in the tournament organized by UNTV President and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon.
Department of Agriculture kept its quarterfinals bid alive by downing Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission 78-68, thanks to the 26-point performance of former UST hotshot Emerson Oreta.
With the win, the Food Masters finished the second round with a 5-4 mark, tying the Kamao for sixth to seventh places.
The third to sixth placers will play another round in the quarters while the bottom two — the 7th and 8th placers — will be eliminated.
