UNTV Cup Season 7


The UNTV Cup Season 7 was the 2018–2019 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 3, 2018 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. Regular games are held at the Pasig City Sports Center in Pasig City with a live telecast on the UNTV Public Service channel every Sunday afternoon. Twelve teams are competing for the championship title this season, lower from a record-high of 14 teams last Season 6.
The best-of-three finals series was held on March 3 and 11, 2019, at the Pasig City Sports Center in Pasig City and Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, respectively. The championship is between the two-time champion AFP Cavaliers and defending champion Senate Defenders. AFP swept the series against Senate in two games, 2–0, to get their record third title.
A total of 10 million pesos tax-free was given to the teams' chosen beneficiaries, with the champion team AFP Cavaliers taking home a trophy, and 4 million pesos given to their chosen charity institution.

Teams

Twelve squads are vying for the championship title of the season, lower from a record-high of 14 teams the previous season. There are 11 returning teams, including all 4 former tournament winners, led by the Season 6 defending champions Senate Defenders.

New Teams

Government agencyMonikerColoursJoined UNTV CupSeasons PlayedUNTV Cup TitlesHead Coach
Armed Forces of the PhilippinesAFP Cavaliers 201362Sonny Manucat
Department of JusticeDOJ Justice Boosters 201360Reynaldo Tomas Jr.
Government Service Insurance SystemGSIS Furies 201440Rene Boy Banzali
Philippine International Trading CorporationPITC Global Traders 201800Vic Ycasiano
Philippine National PolicePNP Responders 201361Juven Formacil
Senate of the PhilippinesSenate Defenders 201451Mike Fermin

Group B

Elimination round

The elimination round began on September 3, 2018 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon 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. On the first game of the season, the defending champion Senate Defenders got a come-from-behind win against the debuting team PITC Global Traders, 73–70. The game featured Senator Manny Pacquiao's tournament debut as a player for Senate, in which he scored 14 points.

First round

Group A

DateGame No.Competing TeamsScoresTop PerformerVenueLinks
September 3, 20181Senate def. PITC73–70James Ryan Mangaran
Jeffry Sanders		Smart Araneta Coliseum, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
September 9, 20183GSIS def. PNP87–83James Patrick AbuganPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
September 16, 20184AFP def. DOJ109–87Boyet BautistaPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
September 23, 20188PNP def. PITC80–77PO1 Anton TolentinoGSIS Gymnasium, GSIS Financial Center,
Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City
September 23, 20189Senate def. GSIS78–51Garri SevillaGSIS Gymnasium, GSIS Financial Center,
Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City
September 30, 201810DOJ def. GSIS71–65Jose Marie Villegas
Lyncir Paolo Lagunzad		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
October 3, 201815AFP def. PNP92–82Boyet BautistaPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
October 14, 201816Senate def. DOJ87–72Jeffry SandersPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
October 14, 201818AFP def. PITC78–68Jerry LumongsodPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
October 21, 201819PITC def. GSIS94–61Rod William Vasallo
Luis Enrico Lopez		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
October 21, 201821PNP def. Senate60–59PO1 Anton TolentinoPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
October 28, 201823PITC def. DOJ74–60Rod William Vasallo
Haddi Porto		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
October 28, 201824AFP def. GSIS93–87Vicente Evidor
Boyet Bautista		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
November 4, 201826PNP def. DOJ89–77Ollan Omiping
Julius Criste		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
November 8, 201830AFP def. Senate76–70Darwin Cordero
Jerry Lumongsod		JCSGO Gym, 15th Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City

Group B

DateGame No.Competing TeamsScoresTop PerformerVenueLinks
September 9, 20182Agriculture def. PhilHealth105–95Christian Dematera
Emmerson Oreta		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
September 16, 20185Malacañan-PSC def. Ombudsman101–72Eric Dela CuestaPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
September 16, 20186NHA def. Judiciary73–68Marvin Mercado
Alvin Vitug		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
September 23, 20187NHA def. PhilHealth103–100Jessie Alastoy
Marvin Mercado		GSIS Gymnasium, GSIS Financial Center,
Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City
September 30, 201811Agriculture def. Ombudsman85–67Sherwin Silva
Henry Fernandez		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
September 30, 201812Malacañan-PSC def. Judiciary74–70Eric Dela CuestaPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
October 3, 201813PhilHealth def. Ombudsman122–99Jonathan Aldave
Mark Eduard Pedroso		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
October 3, 201814NHA def. Agriculture75–73Antonio Lustestica Jr.Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
October 14, 201817PhilHealth def. Malacañan-PSC90–87Jonathan Aldave
Kenneth Emata		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
October 21, 201820Agriculture def. Judiciary106–78Christian DemateraPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
October 28, 201822Judiciary def. Ombudsman104–65Richard Litonjua
Edu Mustre		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
November 4, 201825Judiciary def. PhilHealth98–93Warren YbañezPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
November 4, 201827Malacañan-PSC def. NHA63–62Joseph Besa
Eric Dela Cuesta		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
November 8, 201828NHA def. Ombudsman94–57Adolfo Jose AdolfoJCSGO Gym, 15th Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City
November 8, 201829Malacañan-PSC def. Agriculture75–63Visnu Das Javier
Eric dela Cuesta		JCSGO Gym, 15th Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City

Second round

DateGame No.Competing TeamsScoresTop PerformerVenueLinks
November 18, 201831PITC def. Judiciary74–72Haddi PortoPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
November 18, 201832PNP def. Agriculture82–79Ollan Omiping
Rollie Serrano		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
November 18, 201833AFP def. NHA90–81Darwin Cordero
Boyet Bautista		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
November 25, 201834PITC def. Agriculture88–62Haddi Porto
Aloysius Taplah		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
November 25, 201835PNP def. Judiciary69–61Ollan Omiping
Harold Sta. Cruz		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
November 25, 201836Malacañan-PSC def. Senate75–66Eric Dela Cuesta
Michael Ignario		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
November 28, 201837Judiciary def. AFP95–93 Chester TolomiaPasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
November 28, 201838PNP def. NHA102–93Ollan Omiping
Richard Villanueva		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
November 28, 201839Senate def. Agriculture84–76Harley Ng
Garri Sevilla		Pasig City Sports Center, Caruncho Avenue, Pasig City
December 6, 201840AFP def. Agriculture79–73Darwin CorderoJCSGO Gym, 15th Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City
December 6, 201841Malacañan-PSC def. PITC69–64Michael Ignario
Martin Lloyd Antonio		JCSGO Gym, 15th Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City
December 6, 201842Senate def. NHA98–97 Harley Ng
Marlon Legaspi		JCSGO Gym, 15th Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City
December 16, 201843Senate def. Judiciary64–63Reynaldo Malaga Jr.
Harley Ng		Meralco Gym, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City
December 16, 201844PNP def. Malacañan-PSC81–73Ricardo Cabrera Jr.
Ollan Omiping		Meralco Gym, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City
January 6, 201945PITC def. NHA81–78Haddi Porto
Rod William Vasallo		Gatorade Hoops Center, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City
January 6, 201946AFP def. Malacañang-PSC98–87Wilfredo Casulla Jr.
Darwin Cordero		Gatorade Hoops Center, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City

Playoffs

Quarterfinals

The playoffs began on January 13, 2019 at the Pasig City Sports Center in Pasig City.
Starting this season, the second round standings and results carry over to the quarterfinals. A single round robin format is followed in which all quarterfinals teams face each other once, for a total of 3 games per team. After the round robin, the two bottom teams are eliminated, and will receive ₱100,000 for their chosen beneficiary. The top two teams advance to the semifinal round, and are re-seeded as #3 and #4. On the semifinals, the #1 and #2 teams will play against the #4 and #3 seed, respectively.
For the first six seasons, the league has used a knockout tournament where the #3 team faces #6, while the #4 seed battles #5. The higher seeded teams have a twice-to-beat advantage, and the winners of both series advance to the semifinals.

Malacañang-PSC Kamao vs. NHA Builders

Senate Defenders vs. PITC Global Traders

PITC Global Traders vs. Malacañang-PSC Kamao

NHA Builders vs. Senate Defenders

NHA Builders vs. PITC Global Traders

Senate Defenders vs. Malacañang-PSC Kamao

Semifinals

(1) AFP Cavaliers vs. (4) NHA Builders

(2) PNP Responders vs. (3) Senate Defenders

3x3 Tournament

On March 11, 2019, the first 3x3 tournament in the history of the league served as opener for the Game 2 of the Season 7 Finals. PITC Global Traders were crowned champions by defeating Malacanang-PSC Kamao in the final, taking home ₱20,000 prize.

Teams

The four non-finals playoff teams participated in the knockout games.

Results

DateGame No.Competing TeamsScoresVenue
March 11, 2019Semifinal 1PITC def. PNP17–12Smart Araneta Coliseum, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
March 11, 2019Semifinal 2Malacañang-PSC def. NHA18–11Smart Araneta Coliseum, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
March 11, 2019FinalsPITC def. Malacañang-PSC15–13Smart Araneta Coliseum, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City

Battle for Third Place: (2) PNP Responders vs. (4) NHA Builders

The battle for third place will be between five-time semifinalist PNP Responders and three-time semifinalist NHA Builders, after they lost their semifinals series on separate opponents. NHA won the game, 73–70, and got ₱1,000,000 for their chosen beneficiary as third placer. Despite the loss, PNP received ₱500,000 for charity as fourth placer.

UNTV Cup Finals: (1) AFP Cavaliers vs. (3) Senate Defenders

The best-of-three finals series will be held on March 3 and 11, 2019, at the Pasig City Sports Center in Pasig City and Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, respectively. The championship is between the two-time champion and #1 team AFP Cavaliers and defending champion Senate Defenders. AFP won their semis matchup versus NHA in two games, while Senate beat PNP in three games with a twice-to-win disadvantage. AFP swept the finals series against Senate, 2–0, to get their record third title and donate ₱4 million to their chosen charity. Despite the loss, Senate received ₱2 million for charity as runner-up.

Winners and Beneficiaries

A total of 10 million pesos tax-free was given to the teams' chosen beneficiaries, with the champion team AFP Cavaliers taking home a trophy, and 4 million pesos given to their chosen charity institution. The runner-up team Senate Defenders received 2 million pesos for their beneficiary. One million pesos was given to the third place team NHA Builders for their chosen beneficiary, while five hundred thousand pesos was given to the fourth-place finishers PNP Responders' chosen charity. The other participating teams got 100 thousand pesos for their beneficiary.
PlaceTeamBeneficiariesCash Prize
ChampionAFP CavaliersAFP Educational Benefit System Office
Runner-upSenate DefendersKythe Foundation, Inc., Pangarap Foundation, Inc., and Tahanang Mapagpala Immaculada Concepcion, Inc.
3rdNHA BuildersNHA Provident Fund Association, Inc.
4thPNP RespondersPublic Assistance for Rescue, Disaster and Support Services Foundation International, Inc.
5thMalacañan-PSC KamaoPhilippine Children’s Medical Center and Millennium Sports Support System Association Inc.
6thPITC Global TradersBlas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, Bahay Pagasa of Biñan, and Mga Munting Hiling Foundation Inc.
7thAgriculture Food MastersTibao Farmer Dreamers Association
8thJudiciary MagisCourt Employees Severely Affected by Typhoons and Calamities
9thPhilHealth PlusPhilHealth Provident Fund
10thDOJ Justice BoostersDepartment of Justice Employees’ Association
11thGSIS FuriesKapisanan ng mga Manggagawa sa GSIS
12thOmbudsman Graft BustersOmbudsman Provident Fund

Individual Awards

Season Awards

The season's individual awards were given before the start of the Game 2 of the Finals, on March 11, 2019 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The following players were named the Players of the Week.
WeekPlayer of the WeekTeamRef.
November 26–December 2, 2018Garri Sevilla Senate Defenders
December 3–9, 2018Jessie Alastoy NHA Builders
December 10–16, 2018PO1 Richard Villanueva PNP Responders
December 31, 2018–January 6, 2019Eric Dela Cuesta Malacañan-PSC Kamao

Cumulative Standings

TeamGPWLPCTBest Finish
AFP Cavaliers13121Champion
Senate Defenders17107Runner-up
NHA Builders1587Third Place
PNP Responders1385Fourth Place
Malacañan-PSC Kamao1266Quarterfinalist
PITC Global Traders1266Quarterfinalist
Agriculture Food Masters936Second Round Elimination
Judiciary Magis936Second Round Elimination
PhilHealth Plus523First Round Elimination
DOJ Justice Boosters514First Round Elimination
GSIS Furies514First Round Elimination
Ombudsman Graft Busters505First 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 16, 2018Atty. John Christopher MahamudNHA Builders
September 23, 2018Garri SevillaSenate Defenders
September 30, 2018Earl Gerard Joseph LacsonAgriculture Food Masters
October 7, 2018Mark Eduard PedrosoPhilHealth Plus
October 21, 2018USec. Dave AlmarinezPITC Global Traders
October 28, 2018Frederick BaldonadoOmbudsman Graftbusters
October 28, 2018Kenneth IlanoGSIS Furies
November 4, 2018PO1 Richard VillanuevaPNP Responders
November 4, 2018Jesse AlastoyNHA Builders
November 11, 2018Renelou LumagueOmbudsman Graft Busters
November 11, 2018Martin Lloyd AntonioMalacañang-PSC Kamao
November 18, 2018Joseph ForbesNHA Builders
November 25, 2018PO1 Rollie SerranoPNP Responders
December 2, 2018Richard Anthony LitonjuaJudiciary Magis
December 2, 2018Sherwin SilvaAgriculture Food Masters
December 2, 2018Michael Dan OmegaSenate Defenders
December 16, 2018Regilito MalinaoJudiciary Magis
January 6, 2019Aloysius Trueh TaplahPITC Global Traders
January 27, 2019Jeffry SandersSenate Defenders
February 10, 2019Rommel BalboaSenate Defenders

Top Plays

The following segment features the top plays of the week and elimination round.
Air DateDescriptionLink
September 16, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
September 23, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
September 30, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
October 7, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
October 14, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
October 21, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
October 28, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
November 4, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
November 11, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
November 18, 2018Top 10 Plays of the 1st Round Eliminations
November 25, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
December 2, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
December 9, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
December 16, 2018Top 5 Plays of the Week
January 6, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
January 13, 2019Top 10 Plays of the 2nd Round Eliminations
January 20, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
January 27, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
February 10, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week
February 24, 2019Top 5 Plays of the Week

Player, Analyst and Fan Interviews

UNTV Cup players, analysts, and fans share their thoughts in interviews.
Air DateDescriptionLink
September 30, 2018UNTV Cup Season 7 Team to Beat
October 28, 2018Tell us something more about yourself
December 2, 2018MVP Showdown: Omiping vs Lustestica
December 9, 2018SPECIAL FEATURE: Alvin Zuñiga of AFP Cavaliers
December 9, 2018Who’s your favorite UNTV Cup rookie player?
February 3, 2019PIONEER PLAYER: Sgt. Wilfredo Casulla Jr. of AFP Cavaliers