UNTV Cup Season 3


The UNTV Cup Season 3 was the 2014-2015 season of the public service-based basketball league, the UNTV Cup based in the Philippines. It was opened on November 17, 2014 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Its final games was held on April 28, 2015 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
During the season, the league got its first AnakTV award for being a child-friendly basketball tournament.

Teams

There are 11 squads who vied for the championship title of the season, including 8 returning teams led by Season 2 champions AFP Cavaliers.

New Teams

Three new teams were introduced this season.
Two teams backed out of the competition.
Government agencyMonikerColoursJoined UNTV CupSeasons PlayedUNTV Cup TitlesHead Coach
Bureau of Fire ProtectionBFP Firefighters 201400Ricky Alcantara
Department of JusticeDOJ Justice Boosters 201320Turo Valenzona
House of Representatives of the PhilippinesHOR Solons 201320Gerard Francisco
Office of the President of the PhilippinesMalacañang Patriots 201410Jenkins Mesina
Philippine National PolicePNP Responders 201320Ernesto Ballesteros

Group B

Government agencyMonikerColoursJoined UNTV CupSeasons PlayedUNTV Cup TitlesHead Coach
Armed Forces of the PhilippinesAFP Cavaliers 201321Col. Alfredo Cayco
Government Service Insurance SystemGSIS Furies 201400Eduardo Fernandez
Supreme Court of the PhilippinesJudiciary Magis 201321Dennis Balason
Metro Manila Development AuthorityMMDA Black Wolves 201320Mandeville Martirez
National Housing AuthorityNHA Builders 201400Silverio "Bennett" Palad III
Senate of the PhilippinesSenate Defenders 201410Kenneth Duremdes

Elimination round

The elimination round began on November 17, 2014 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The schedule followed a single round robin format in which all teams faced each other once in their respective group, for a total of 4 games per team. After the first elimination round, the bottom teams per group are eliminated, and the top 4 teams per group advance to the second elimination round. After the second elimination round, the bottom 2 teams are eliminated. The top 2 teams get outright semifinals spots, while the remaining 4 teams battle it out on the quarterfinals, with #3 team facing #6, and #4 seed playing against #5.

First round

Group A


DateGame No.Competing TeamsScoresBest PlayerVenueLinks
November 17, 20142PNP def. DOJ90–72Dennis EscalonaMall of Asia Arena, Jose Diokno Boulevard, Pasay City
November 20, 20144Malacañang def. BFP70–65Marlon BerganioMakati Coliseum, Mascardo Street, Makati City
November 30, 20147Malacañang def. DOJ96–92Sec. Joel VillanuevaUniversity of Makati Gym, Dr. J. P. Rizal Avenue Extension, Makati City
November 30, 20148BFP def. HOR105–81Michael Joshua SanchezUniversity of Makati Gym, Dr. J. P. Rizal Avenue Extension, Makati City
December 3, 20149PNP def. HOR110–64Ollan OmipingYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
December 12, 201413Malacañang def. PNP66–64Melvin VerchesYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
December 21, 2014*16DOJ def. HOR110–88Paul Gerard RegueraUniversity of Makati Gym, Dr. J. P. Rizal Avenue Extension, Makati City
January 11, 201519PNP def. BFP105–68Julius CristeMakati Coliseum, Mascardo Street, Makati City
January 18, 2015*22DOJ def. BFP75–69Christopher TagleMakati Coliseum, Mascardo Street, Makati City
January 25, 201525Malacañang def. HOR92–70Melvin VerchesYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City

Group B

DateGame No.Competing TeamsScoresBest PlayerVenueLinks
November 17, 20141AFP def. NHA90–71Wilfredo Casulla Jr.Mall of Asia Arena, Jose Diokno Boulevard, Pasay City
November 20, 20143MMDA def. GSIS87–77Ermel IdriaMakati Coliseum, Mascardo Street, Makati City
November 20, 20145Judiciary def. Senate83–75Jon HallMakati Coliseum, Mascardo Street, Makati City
November 30, 20146Senate def. NHA96–90Emmanuel BaltazarUniversity of Makati Gym, Dr. J. P. Rizal Avenue Extension, Makati City
December 3, 201410GSIS def. NHA86–81Tristan HernandezYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
December 3, 201411Judiciary def. AFP93–76Don CamasoYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
December 12, 201412Senate def. GSIS84–65Marlon LegaspiYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
December 21, 2014*14Judiciary def. NHA98–96Don CamasoUniversity of Makati Gym, Dr. J. P. Rizal Avenue Extension, Makati City
December 21, 2014*15AFP def. MMDA85–81Jeffrey QuiambaoUniversity of Makati Gym, Dr. J. P. Rizal Avenue Extension, Makati City
January 11, 201517GSIS def. AFP100–86Dennis BunyiMakati Coliseum, Mascardo Street, Makati City
January 11, 201518Judiciary def. MMDA103–76Jon HallMakati Coliseum, Mascardo Street, Makati City
January 18, 2015*20Judiciary def. GSIS110–57Ariel CapusMakati Coliseum, Mascardo Street, Makati City
January 18, 2015*21Senate def. MMDA91–80Emmanuel BaltazarMakati Coliseum, Mascardo Street, Makati City
January 25, 201523AFP def. Senate88–77Rolando PascualYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
January 25, 201524MMDA def. NHA104–96 Ermel IdriaYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City

Second round

DateGame No.Competing TeamsScoresBest PlayerVenueLinks
February 1, 201526MMDA def. BFP86–77Ermel IdriaYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
February 1, 201527AFP def. DOJ106–81Jeffrey QuiambaoYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
February 1, 201528PNP def. Judiciary87–84Julius CristeYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
February 8, 201529AFP def. BFP109–77Wilfredo Casulla Jr.Ynares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
February 8, 201530Judiciary def. DOJ102–79Jearomel SerranoYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
February 8, 201531Senate def. Malacañang77–63Emmanuel BaltazarYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
February 15, 201532Malacañang def. MMDA84–68Andro RequezYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
February 15, 201533Senate def. DOJ81–75Marlon LegaspiYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
February 15, 201534Judiciary def. BFP104–81Ariel CapusYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
February 22, 201535Senate def. BFP85–60Joe Andrew GarciaYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
February 22, 201536PNP def. MMDA78–72Jay Mann MisolaYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
February 22, 201537Malacañang def. AFP79–76Andro RequezYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
March 1, 201538Senate def. PNP83–77Emmanuel BaltazarYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
March 1, 201539Malacañang def. Judiciary69–65Samuel IgnacioYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
March 8, 201540DOJ def. MMDA86–75Rico EscalanteYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City
March 8, 201541AFP def. PNP68–63Alvin ZuñigaYnares Sports Arena, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City

Playoffs

There are six teams that qualified for the playoffs. The top two teams, Malacañang Patriots and Judiciary Magis, already advance to the semifinals, holding also the twice-to-beat advantage. The remaining four teams will fight for the final two semifinal slots. Senate Defenders and AFP Cavaliers will have a twice-to-beat advantage on the quarterfinals against DOJ Justice Boosters and PNP Responders, respectively.

Quarterfinals

The defending champion and #4 team AFP Cavaliers have a twice-to-beat advantage against two-time runner-up and #5 ranked PNP Responders, while first time quarterfinalist and #6 seed DOJ Justice Boosters needs to win two games versus #3 team Senate Defenders.
Both higher seeded teams won their respective series in close. AFP prevents PNP in reaching a third straight finals appearance, 63–59, while Senate beat DOJ in an overtime thriller, 80–78, to advance to the semifinals. The Cavaliers face top team Malacañang Patriots, and the Defenders sets a date with three-time #2 seed Judiciary Magis.

(3) Senate Defenders vs. (6) DOJ Justice Boosters

(4) AFP Cavaliers vs. (5) PNP Responders

Semifinals

The Malacañang Patriots and Judiciary Magis have a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals after being the top 2 teams at the end of the elimination round. Quarterfinals winners AFP Cavaliers and Senate Defenders would need to win twice to enter the finals.
AFP won the first game to extend the series, but Malacañang snatched the second game to eliminate the Cavaliers. On the other match-up, Judiciary beat Senate convincingly, 95–75, to advance to the finals.

(1) Malacañang Patriots vs. (4) AFP Cavaliers

(2) Judiciary Magis vs. (3) Senate Defenders

Battle for Third Place: (3) Senate Defenders vs. (4) AFP Cavaliers

The battle for third place was between the #3 seed Senate Defenders and reigning champion #4 team AFP Cavaliers, after they lost their semifinals series on separate opponents with a twice-to-win disadvantage. AFP won the game, 98–87, and gets ₱500,000 for their chosen beneficiary as third placer. Despite the loss, Senate received ₱250,000 for charity as fourth placer.

Exhibition Game: Skywalker All Stars vs. UNTV Cup All Stars

Before the much-awaited championship match between Malacañang Patriots and Judiciary Magis, a special tribute game dubbed the "Skywalker All Star Exhibition Game" was held for the benefit of Samboy Lim and his family. On November 28, 2014, Lim has been rushed to a hospital unconscious after collapsing just minutes after coming out of an exhibition game. He slipped into a coma, and was first admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Medical City, before he was later transferred to the intermediate care unit. On January 14, 2015, he slipped out of his comatose state and was brought home where he will continue to receive treatment and therapy. With Daniel Razon's idea, in behalf of the players' name, UNTV Cup donated money to Lim's family in order to help in Samboy's recovery.
The UNTV Cup All Star selection faced former professional basketball players that were previous teammates of Lim.

Skywalker All-Stars

The Skywalker All-Stars team is composed of former professional basketball players listed below. They wore red jerseys.
The UNTV Cup All Star selection is composed of the best UNTV Cup players not playing in the finals, listed below. They wore their white team jerseys.

UNTV Cup Finals: (1) Malacañang Patriots vs. (2) Judiciary Magis

The best-of-three finals series was held on April 12 and 28, 2018, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City and Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, respectively. The championship is between the top two teams, #1 seed Malacañang Patriots and Season 1 champion Judiciary Magis. Both teams won their separate semis matchups with the twice-to-beat advantage. Judiciary won the finals series convincingly against Malacañang, 2–0, to get their second UNTV Cup title and donate ₱2 million to their chosen beneficiary. Malacañang received ₱1 million for their charity as runner-up.
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Winners and Beneficiaries

A total of 5.45 million pesos tax-free was given to the teams' chosen beneficiaries, with the champion team Judiciary Magis taking home a trophy and 2 million pesos given to their chosen beneficiaries. The runner-up team Malacañang Patriots received 1 million pesos for their beneficiary. Five hundred thousand pesos was given to the third place team AFP Cavaliers for their chosen beneficiary. Two hundred fifty thousand pesos was given to the fourth-place finishers Senate Defenders for their chosen charity. The other participating teams got 100 thousand pesos for their beneficiary.
In addition to the usual donations to the team's chosen charities, one million pesos was given to the family of Samboy Lim.
PlaceWinning TeamBeneficiariesCash PrizeActual Prize Received
ChampionJudiciary MagisSupreme Court personnel who suffered serious ailments or injuries while in the service
Heirs of Supreme Court personnel who have passed away while in the service
Runner upMalacañang PatriotsCancer Ward of the Philippine Children's Hospital
3rdAFP CavaliersAFP Educational Benefit System Office and Camp Aguinaldo General Hospital
4thSenate DefendersKhyte Foundation, Inc. and Pangarap Foundation, Inc.
DOJ Justice BoostersPsalm of David Harmonic Orchestra
Cash AssistanceSkywalker All-StarsSamboy Lim and family

Individual Awards

Season Awards

  • Scoring Champion: Marlon Legaspi
  • Best in Assists: Eugene Tan
  • Best in Rebounds: Don Camaso
  • Best in Blocks: Jay Mann Misola
  • UNTV Cup First Team:
  • * Don Camaso
  • * Ariel Capus
  • * Ollan Omiping
  • * Marlon Legaspi
  • * Eugene Tan
  • Most Valuable Player:
  • *Season MVP: Ariel Capus
  • *Finals MVP:

    Players of the Week

The following players were named the Players of the Week.
WeekPlayer of the WeekTeamRef.
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Overall Standings

TeamGPWLPCTBest Finish
Judiciary Magis12102Champion
Malacañang Patriots1284Runner-up
AFP Cavaliers1394Third Place
Senate Defenders1284Fourth Place
PNP Responders954Quarterfinalist
DOJ Justice Boosters936Quarterfinalist
MMDA Black Wolves936Second Round Elimination
BFP Firefighters817Second Round Elimination
GSIS Furies523First Round Elimination
HOR Solons404First Round Elimination
NHA Builders505First 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.
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Top Plays

The following segment features the top plays of the week and elimination round.
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Player, Analyst and Fan Interviews

UNTV Cup players, analysts, and fans share their thoughts in interviews.
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