Jasha Gamao

MANILA—OP Bagong Pilipinas made a bold opening statement in the UNTV Cup Season 12 Quarterfinals on August 12, fending off the Judiciary Magis in a hard-fought 77-69 battle at the Paco Arena. 

Shaking off a depleted lineup, OP Bagong Pilipinas executed a disciplined game plan down the stretch to clinch their crucial first win of the quarterfinal round.

Player of the Game Jaypee Sarcia set the tone on both ends of the floor, dropping 16 points and pulling down 5 rebounds to anchor his squad’s offense. 

Connecting seamlessly with teammate Enteng Dalaten, Sarcia spearheaded high-efficiency plays in critical moments, keeping the relentless Magis defense at bay and guaranteeing the victory.

The squad’s disciplined execution paid off despite playing short-handed against a formidable Judiciary lineup. 

Reflecting on the win, Sarcia highlighted their preparation and chemistry: "Sa training namin at saka sa magandang game plan ng coaches. Syempre sa tiwala din namin sa isa’t isa bilang magkaka-kampi kaya siguro na-survive namin kahit kulang kami."

With the hard-earned win, OP Bagong Pilipinas builds crucial momentum as the quarterfinal phase heats up. 

Their ability to deliver under pressure establishes them as a dangerous contender early in the postseason push.

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MANILA—The AFP Cavaliers made a resounding statement in the opening game of the UNTV Cup Season 12 Quarterfinals, charging past the COMELEC Vanguards with an 85-78 victory on August 12 at the Paco Arena.

Seeking redemption after a previous defeat to COMELEC, the Cavaliers brought intense defensive pressure and high-octane energy straight out of the gate to secure their crucial first win in the quarterfinal round.

Darwin Cordero spearheaded the attack for AFP, putting up a stellar, stat-sheet-stuffing performance to earn Best Player of the Game honors. 

Cordero dominated the hardwood with a game-high 22 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and pocketed 3 steals, serving as the relentless catalyst for the Cavaliers’ offense and defense throughout the grueling clash.

Motivated by their previous setback against the Vanguards, Cordero rallied his squad to fight with pride and match COMELEC’s physical play. 

"Bago kami mag-start maglaro, sinabi ko lang sa boys na i-control namin yung boards at saka sinabi ko lang kung sino ang willing manalo dito sa game, siya yung makakakuha ng panalo. So, kumbaga ginamit namin yung puso namin na as pride na rin na di kami magpatalo dahil coming from a loss sa kanila, chinallenge namin yung sarili namin. Binalik lang namin kung ano yung ginawa nilang depensa sa amin, binabalik din namin sa kanila," Cordero shared post-game.

By controlling the glass and matching COMELEC’s toughness, the Cavaliers successfully turned the tables to return the favor. 

This hard-earned victory gives AFP vital momentum as they look to build a dominant winning streak and push deeper into the UNTV Cup Season 12 playoff race.

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PASAY CITY—A witty exchange over comic book logic erupted during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte after prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan invoked the Man of Steel to question the physical limits of a special disbursing officer (SDO) handling confidential funds. 

Kapunan pressed Commission on Audit (COA) auditor Xylene del Campo regarding multiple acknowledgment receipts bearing identical dates across vastly different locations, firing off: "Kung hindi man Superman ang isang [special disbursing officer], kaya ba niyang puntahan, sa palagay mo, lahat na ito?"

Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer immediately objected to stop the comparison in its tracks. "The question is speculative, Your Honor," Ferrer countered.

Ferrer further added, "It’s a hypothetical question," insisting that the prosecution was steering the cross-examination into unfounded guesswork rather than sticking to verifiable facts.

Kapunan countered with a swift defense of her analogy to justify how impossible the officer’s alleged travel itinerary appeared. 

"What’s speculative about Superman? He can fly anywhere he wants to," Kapunan declared, doubling down on her point that only someone with supernatural abilities could physically be present in several locations at once on the very same date.

Presiding Officer Francis Escudero directed the prosecution counsel to wrap up the superhero reference, telling her directly, "Counsel, move on. We get your point."

Kapunan agreed to shift her line of questioning, but not before making a final plea to ensure her colorful comparison remained officially documented in the court record. 

"I will move on... Although can we ask that the Superman remain on record, Your Honor?" Kapunan requested, to which Presiding Officer Escudero reassured her, "We did not strike it off, counsel."

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PASAY CITY—Questions filled the court room during the day 14 impeachment trial over Vice President Sara Duterte's confidential funds as several familiar surnames appeared on cash receipts. 

Documents presented in court listed individuals named Beth Revilla, Clarisse Hontiveros, Jose Diokno Jr., and Diane Maple Lapid as payees. 

The receipts showed payouts ranging from ₱50,000 to ₱500,000, allegedly spent on "purchase of information," "provision of medical and food aid," and "purchase of supplies."

Private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan quickly called attention to the familiar names while examining the documents on August 11. 

“Kamag-anak ata ‘to ni senator Bong Revilla… Kamag-anak naman ‘to ni Senator Risa Hontiveros… Kamag-anak ba ‘to ni public prosecutor [Chel Diokno]? Kamag-anak naman ni Senator Lapid,” Kapunan jokingly remarked, raising doubts over the legitimacy of the transactions.

The state auditor inspecting the expenses confirmed that these specific payments failed basic audit standards. 

Xylene May del Campo, supervising auditor from the Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office, pointed out the lack of clear proof that the money actually went to its intended purpose. 

“Kasama po ito dun sa disallowed kasi based on this acknowledgement receipt, hindi ko po ascertain if this really nabigay for purchase,” del Campo explained to the body.

Prosecutors are pushing to examine whether these payments went to real individuals or if high-profile names were simply used on paper to justify spending millions in public funds.

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PASAY CITY—Prosecution counsel Attorney Lorna Kapunan and defense counsel Attorney Kristine Ferrer clashed in court on August 11, 2026, over the presentation of accomplishment reports as trial exhibits. 

Both parties argued over the proper handling of documents and the efficiency of the ongoing proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte's camp.

Seeking to speed up the process, Kapunan suggested that the court use the defense team's copy of the documents to save precious time. 

"We would’ve saved this honorable court considerable time if they just agreed to use their documents…We are amenable to use the defense exhibits," Atty. Kapunan stated.

However, Atty. Ferrer firmly rejected the proposal, arguing that switching documents does nothing to fix what she called an unqualified prosecution witness. 

Ferrer argued, saying, "It doesn’t matter if they will use our own exhibits. It doesn’t even make their witness competent that is why we are here in open court to establish the competence. Kahit pa gamitin natin ‘yong exhibit namin, kung hindi naman competent ‘yong witness n’yo to identify those exhibits, it will still be a waste of time… useless."

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