Jasha Gamao

MANILA—The Judiciary Magis delivered a final verdict on DOJ Radiance's unbeaten run, pulling off a heart-stopping 67–66 victory in the second game of the UNTV Cup Executive Face Off 2026 triple-header on Wednesday, October 7, at the Paco Arena. 

The hard-fought win snapped DOJ’s winning streak, dealing them their first loss of the elimination round and sliding them down to the fourth spot in the team standings.  

Supreme Court Associate Justice Midas Marquez earned Best Player of the Game honors after spearheading Judiciary's attack with 12 points. 

Marquez proved clutch in the closing seconds of the nail-biter, sinking a critical charity stripe shot with 21.3 seconds remaining to give Judiciary a vital four-point breathing room down the stretch.  

In a post-game interview, Justice Marquez reflected on the team's commitment and resilience following the huge victory over their government rivals. 

“Well, every win is an achievement for the Judiciary. Talagang binibigay naman namin ang lahat ng mabibigay namin para manalo,” Marquez stated in the post-game interview.

The dramatic clash highlighted the intense, high-stakes action of Wednesday's action-packed fixture at the Paco Arena. 

With both teams now standing at 4–1, Judiciary's tactical composure under pressure proved to be the difference-maker in keeping their momentum alive while disrupting the top tier of the tournament standings.  

This signature triumph positions the Judiciary Magis favorably in their push for post-season positioning, proving they have the grit to withstand down-to-the-wire battles against top-tier contenders in the executive league.

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MANILA—The Ombudsman Graftbusters pulled off an emphatic 80–64 victory against the PhilHealth Health Insurers during the opening showdown of the UNTV Cup Executive Face Off 2026 triple-header on Wednesday, October 7, at the Paco Arena.

The decisive win served as a strong rebound for Ombudsman, allowing them to bounce back into contention while handing PhilHealth a setback in the ongoing elimination round.

Leading the charge for the Graftbusters was Best Players of the Game Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano IV and Attorney Hyderabad Casar.

Assistant Ombudsman Clavano puts up a stat sheet-stuffing performance of 19 points, 4 assists, and 4 steals.

He was reinforced inside by Attorney Hyderabad Casar, who registered a commanding double-double performance with 22 points and 15 rebounds to anchor Ombudsman's frontcourt dominance throughout the contest.

Following the matchup, Clavano stressed the team's burning desire to bounce back after a tough drop in their previous outing.

“Syempre gusto namin bumawi from the last games, we just came from a lost kaya importante din yung game na’to para patas 2-2 na kami,” Clavano stated when reflecting on their crucial victory in the post-game interview.

Clavano further emphasized the necessity of composure and maintaining command of the game's rhythm moving forward in the tournament.

“I think we have to play it in our own pace, kailangan ilaro namin yung laro talaga namin hindi kami pwede magpadala sa ibang team kung ano yung style nila, hindi dapat kami magpapadala do’n. I guess confidence in our own game,” Clavano added.

Meanwhile, echoing the team-first mindset required to sustain their winning momentum, Casar highlighted the collective effort that sealed their second victory of the season.

“We just have to play the roles that we are given by the coach. Anyway, basketball is laro yan ng 5 players sa court. So, kailangan talaga ng teamwork,” Casar shared on the key to their overall performance.

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MANILA—The AFP Cavaliers put on a masterclass performance to crush the PhilHealth Health Insurers, 121–53, during the second game of the UNTV Cup Executive Face Off Sunday triple-header on October 4, 2026, at the Paco Arena. 

Displaying unrelenting offensive authority and tactical defense, the Cavaliers dominated every facet of the floor to hand PhilHealth a lopsided beating.  

The high-powered victory keeps the AFP Cavaliers undefeated and propels them back to the number 1 position in the team standings with a clean 4-0 record. 

Conversely, the loss keeps the PhilHealth Health Insurers winless at 0-3, pinning them at the 9th spot of the executive tournament standings.  

At the center of the scoring explosion was Col. Edwin Parcia, who earned the Best Player of the Game title after knocking down a massive 34 points alongside 3 rebounds. 

Parcia put on a shooting display from beyond the arc, draining 9 out of 22 three-pointers to single-handedly bury the Health Insurers' defensive schemes.

Attributing their seamless execution to disciplined coaching and team cohesion, Parcia emphasized the collective effort behind their strong run: 

“First of all, teamwork. Sundan lang namin yung play na ginagawa ng aming mga coach kasi yun nagdadala sa amin sa maayos na laro at depensa. Kasi kung wala yung guidance ng coaches, medyo watak-watak yung depensa namin at saka opensa.”

With four straight victories under their belt, the Cavaliers continue to solidify their championship credentials in the elimination round. 

PhilHealth will need a quick turnaround and massive adjustments in their upcoming fixtures to stay alive in the playoff race.

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MANILA—The BJMP Greyhounds delivered a commanding 67–61 victory over the relentless GSIS Furies during the opening match of the UNTV Cup Executive Face Off triple-header on October 4, 2026, at the Paco Arena. 

The Greyhounds set the tone early with intense execution, staving off a dangerous late-game surge from the Furies to seal the hard-fought win.  

This crucial victory maintained Greyhounds’ place in the tournament standings, improving their win-loss ledger to 2-2. 

On the other hand, the GSIS Furies placed 8th place following the loss, sliding to a 1-3 record as they struggle to build momentum in the elimination round.

Leading the charge for the Greyhounds was JSupt. Jessie James Gingoyon, who earned the Best Player of the Game honors for his clutch play and floor leadership. 

His steady hand proved vital in keeping GSIS at bay during the final minutes of the match.

Expressing his gratitude after the intense battle, Gingoyon highlighted his team’s resilience and balanced rotation: “So, I’m very thankful sa mga kasamahan namin na hindi talaga kami nag give in, nag-surrender sa fight despite humabol yung GSIS—very competitive team, malakas na team pero thankful sa aming coaching staff dahil binigyan kami ng [playing time], kami lahat nakalaro despite na marami kami ngayon.”

With the Greyhounds back on the winning track, both teams now look ahead to their remaining elimination fixtures as the competition for playoff positioning heat up.

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Filipina tennis phenom Alex Eala proved her resilience and heart on the international stage, securing her second consecutive Asian Games bronze medal after a fiercely contested Women’s Singles semifinal at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center’s Center Court. 

Facing off against China’s Wang Xiyu in a grueling two-hour and 34-minute battle, the 21-year-old star showcased her world-class caliber before ultimately falling in a tight three-set clash, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6. 

Though her bid for the gold medal match came to an end, Eala’s tireless fight brought another proud podium moment to the Philippines.  

The Filipina prodigy stormed out of the gates in dominant fashion, blazing to a 5-0 lead and locking down the opening set with razor-sharp execution. 

Eala dictated the pace early behind an incredible 74 percent first-serve precision and an immaculate 100 percent win rate on her second serves, outscoring her Chinese rival 40-33 in total points during the 56-minute frame. 

However, Wang mounted a steady comeback in the second set, utilizing two clutch aces and strong baseline consistency to level the match before seizing the momentum in the deciding third set.  

With zero regrets and a heart full of gratitude, Eala leaves Nagoya with her head held high as she continues to inspire millions across the archipelago. 

Thanking the nation for their unwavering support, the young tennis queen reaffirmed her dedication to giving her absolute all every time she steps onto the court for the flag. 

As she processes the match with her team and prepares for her next international fixtures, Eala stands as a beacon of pride and athletic excellence for Philippine sports.

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