Jasha Gamao

MANILA—Redemption is within reach! The Ombudsman Graftbusters completed a dominant sweep of their best-of-three semifinal clash, punching their ticket back to the UNTV Cup Season 12 Finals after tearing down OP Bagong Pilipinas, 81-75, on September 2 at the Paco Arena. 

Hungry to erase the lingering heartbreak of last season’s devastating championship loss to the Agriculture Food Masters, the Graftbusters played with unrelenting grit to reclaim their spot on the league's biggest stage.

Team captain and star point guard Paul Ladia spearheaded the Graftbusters’ fiery charge, earning Best Player of the Game honors with a monster stat line of 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. 

Setting the tempo early and executing crucial defensive stops late in the fourth quarter, Ladia ensured his squad never let their grip slip during the high-stakes showdown.

“Ginawa ko lang yung part ko as a point guard and leader nitong team na’to kasi gusto ko sa’kin mag-umpisa yung drive namin sa laro, yung fire, gusto ko sa’kin magmula kasi ako yung captain ball eh. Ayun, nagtulung-tulong naman kami nakuha namin yung panalo,” a passionate Ladia shared after the hard-fought victory. 

His steady leadership on the hardwood served as the sparks that ignited Ombudsman’s unstoppable rhythm.

With the sweep locked in, the Graftbusters now brace for a titan collision against the powerhouse AFP Cavaliers in what promises to be an explosive UNTV Cup Season 12 Finals. 

More than just fighting for prestige and their agency’s elusive first-ever league title, Ombudsman enters the ultimate battle with a higher purpose: capturing the grand championship to extend vital support to their chosen charity. 

WIN in SPORTS, WIN for CHARITY!

MANILA—Mark Chan buried a fearless, cold-blooded three-point buzzer-beater to drag the Ombudsman Graftbusters past OP Bagong Pilipinas, 71-68, in a heart-stopping Game 1 of the UNTV Cup Season 12 best-of-three semifinals on August 26 at the Paco Arena. 

The dramatic victory pushed the Graftbusters within a single win of the tournament finals, seizing early momentum in the high-stakes series.  

In a tense fourth-quarter showdown where every possession mattered, Chan stepped up as the hero when his team needed him most. 

Taking the game into his own hands as the clock ticked down, he let fly from beyond the arc to break a tight deadlock and shatter the hearts of the OP squad. 

The ice-cold dagger earned Chan the Best Player of the Game honors, putting an exclamation mark on a fiercely contested battle.

Following his game-winning heroics, Chan credited the unwavering trust of his squad for giving him the nerve to take the final shot. 

“Yung confidence nanggaling sa coaches ko, nanggaling sa teammates ko. So, talagang binuhos namin ngayon kasi semifinals na. Sabi nga namin, no more tomorrow, buhos kami. Yung confidence sa kanila talaga galing, bibitawan ko talaga,” Chan shared after steering the Graftbusters to the crucial series-opening victory.

Pushed to the brink of elimination, OP Bagong Pilipinas now faces a must-win situation heading into Sunday's Game 2. 

They must immediately regroup and bounce back to force a deciding tie-breaker if they want to keep their championship dreams alive, while the Graftbusters look to close out the series and secure their ticket to the finals.

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MANILA—The AFP Cavaliers set a high tone in their UNTV Cup Season 12 playoff run, outgunning the PNP Responders, 71-64, in Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinal series on August 26 at the Paco Arena. 

Displaying their trademark intensity and high-octane offense early on, the Cavaliers asserted control from the opening tip to draw first blood in the crucial series.

Michael Bañaria spearheaded the offense for AFP, locked and loaded from start to finish to take home Best Player of the Game honors. 

Bañaria delivered an all-around masterpiece, racking up 21 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 5 steals, constantly disrupting the Responders' backcourt and fueling crucial transition opportunities for his squad.

Anchored by relentless pressure on the floor, the Cavaliers transformed defensive stops into decisive momentum. 

Speaking after his stellar performance, Bañaria emphasized the defensive identity instilled by their technical bench: "Yun po yung palaging sinasabi ng coaching staff namin, hard work lang po, defense, darating din ang opensa at saka yun po yung lagi kong sinasabi, one game at a time po."

With the 1-0 series advantage firmly in hand, AFP moves within a single victory of securing a spot in the finals. 

Meanwhile, the PNP Responders face an urgent do-or-die situation this coming Sunday, needing an immediate bounce-back win to force a decisive tie-breaker and keep their championship hopes alive.

MANILA—The COMELEC Vanguards capped off their UNTV Cup Season 12 campaign on a high note, outlasting the Judiciary Magis in a thrilling 107-103 overtime victory during their Quarterfinal clash on August 19 at the Paco Arena. 

Both squads pushed their limits through a grueling battle, delivering an intense finish to their tournament run despite facing elimination from the postseason standings.

Marios Martinez spearheaded COMELEC's attack, turning in a stellar performance that earned him Best Player of the Game honors. 

Martinez dominated the court, dropping 33 points while grabbing 5 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists to lift the Vanguards past their opponents in extra time. 

His explosive scoring and floor generalship proved decisive in securing the hard-fought win.

Reflecting on the hard-earned victory and their overall journey, Martinez expressed deep gratitude and heart for their supporters and chosen cause. 

"Para sa inyo ‘tong laro namin kaya pasensya na ‘yon lang yung kaya namin," Martinez shared in a post-game interview, dedicating the squad’s fighting spirit and relentless effort directly to their designated charity beneficiary.

Although the win marks a graceful exit for both the COMELEC Vanguards and the Judiciary Magis this season, the Vanguards remain resolute and optimistic about their future. 

With heads held high, COMELEC leaves the tournament committed to coming back stronger and making an even deeper run in the next season of the public service league.

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MANILA—The stakes have never been higher as the UNTV Cup Season 12 Semifinals kick off on August 26, 2026, live from the iconic Paco Arena. Four powerhouse teams remain, but only two will punch their ticket to the ultimate championship stage. 

Operating under an unforgiving single round-robin format, every single match becomes a critical must-win battle where every team faces off against each other. 

There is zero room for error; one slip-up could cost these government public servants the ultimate glory of lifting the trophy for their respective agencies and delivering millions in prize money to their chosen charities.

The opening clash at 3:00 PM pits Armed Forces against Law enforcement in a blockbuster showdown between the AFP Cavaliers and the PNP Responders. 

The Cavaliers bring their trademark military discipline, physical dominance on the glass, and relentless transition offense. 

On the other end, the PNP Responders counter with high-octane perimeter shot-making, tenacious full-court defense, and clutch veteran leadership. 

Both multi-titled franchises know each other’s tendencies inside out, guaranteeing a physical, down-to-the-wire warfare where bragging rights and early semifinal control are on the line.

At 4:30 PM, Game 2 ignites as the Ombudsman Graftbusters collide with OP Bagong Pilipinas. 

Ombudsman brings a methodical, highly disciplined half-court offense built on tactical execution, stingy defense, and fearless interior play. 

Meanwhile, OP Bagong Pilipinas relies on swift ball movement, deep bench depth, and fast-break scoring that can blow games open in a flash. 

Expect a high-stakes tactical chess match between Ombudsman's grinding defense and OP’s explosive offensive tempo.

Beyond the silver cups and agency pride, every basket scored inside the arena carries deep emotional weight for the beneficiaries relying on these public servants' triumph. 

Don't miss out on the heart-pounding action live! 

Head over to the Paco Arena to feel the high-voltage atmosphere in person, or catch the live broadcast on all UNTV Sports social media channels via Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. 

Rally behind your favorite agency and support the one and only Sports and Charity league!

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