Jasha Gamao

SAN JUAN CITY—The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Cavaliers cemented their status as the ultimate dynasty in the Sports and Charity basketball league, fending off a ferocious comeback by the Ombudsman Graftbusters, 66-64, to complete a finals sweep in Game 2 of the UNTV Cup Season 12 Finals on Sunday night, September 20, 2026, at the Playtime FilOil Centre.  

In a heart-stopping finish that went down to the final buzzer, the Cavaliers relied on their championship pedigree and defensive grit to stifle the Graftbusters' late rally. 

AFP held on to its micro-margin in the closing seconds, extinguishing Ombudsman’s hopes of forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 and completing a clean 2-0 series sweep in the best-of-three title showdown.  

AFP Cavs’ guard Darwin Cordero delivered a masterclass for the ages, dominating the floor on both ends to capture the First 5 awardee, Season Most Valuable Player, and Finals MVP awards. 

Cordero’s brilliant playmaking and clutch shot-making proved to be the decisive factor throughout the series, solidifying his stature as the league's premier player.  

With this dramatic victory, the Cavaliers further carved their names into the record books by securing their fifth overall UNTV Cup trophy. 

The win officially cements AFP as the most decorated franchise in the history of the league, standing alone atop the public service basketball landscape.

True to the core mission of the league, the victory extends far beyond the court. The newly crowned champion AFP Cavaliers secured a 2 million pesos tax-free grand prize, which will go directly to their chosen beneficiary, the AFP Educational Benefit System Office (AFPEBSO) to fund the schooling of fallen soldiers' dependents.

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MANILA—Supreme Court Associate Justice Midas Marquez put on another masterclass performance to anchor the Judiciary Magis in a ruthless 97-42 triumph over the PhilHealth Health Insurers during the UNTV Cup Executive Face Off 2026 triple-header on September 16, 2026 at the Paco Arena. 

Judiciary asserted dominance right from the opening tip, unleashing an explosive offense and stifling defense to blow the game wide open and secure a staggering 55-point blowout victory.  

Marquez dominated the hardwood to earn Best Player of the Game honors for the second consecutive time. 

The star magistrate lit up the stat sheet with an all-around performance of 21 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals, proving once again that his veteran leadership remains the catalyst for the Magis' championship campaign.  

"So talagang we’re trying to play one game at a time, win our games and hopefully go back to the finals and this time get the championship," Marquez shared during the post-game interview. 

Locked in on their ultimate target, Marquez emphasized that the squad is taking a calculated, step-by-step approach to build momentum and execute their game plan every single week.

Adding to the excitement at the Paco Arena, the Ombudsman Graftbusters scored their second straight victory of the tournament, outlasting the BIR Nation Builders in an intense hardcourt battle. 

The action-packed triple-header also featured the BJMP Greyhounds clashing with DOJ Radiance in the opening game.

To better accommodate the demanding work routines of government leaders, UNTV Cup EFO 2026 has introduced a new Wednesday schedule featuring tip-offs at 6:00 PM, 7:30 PM, and 9:00 PM—giving officials ample time to wrap up office hours before hitting the court. 

Meanwhile, Sunday double-headers continue at their regular 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM, and 5:00 PM timeslots. 

Catch all the live action, support public service through sports, and follow the official UNTV Sports social media pages for game schedules, highlights, and updates!

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MANILA–The Ombudsman Graftbusters staged a fierce bounce-back victory on September 16, 2026, cruising past the BIR Nation Builders with a 70-54 triumph at the Paco Arena.

After taking a tough loss against the AFP Cavaliers in their season opener, the Graftbusters responded with relentlessness, suffocating BIR to erase their early-season setback and move to a 1-1 record.  

Leading the charge for Ombudsman was Best Player of the Game Atty. Rex Sandoval, who put on a dominant display with 16 points and 6 rebounds. 

Sandoval spearheaded both the offensive output and the defensive pressure that ultimately choked out the Nation Builders, holding them to just 54 points.  

Reflecting on their rebounding performance, Sandoval emphasized the core mindset behind their turnaround win. 

“Siguro more hardwork, more dedication, at saka defense talaga—defense wins game talaga,” Sandoval stated, committing to maintaining this intensity, grit, and defensive focus as the squad marches further into the season.  

The action took place under the UNTV Cup Executive Face Off 2026’s new Wednesday schedule, which features an evening triple-header starting at 6:00 PM, followed by matches at 7:30 PM and 9:00 PM. 

This weekday time slot provides participating government executives a dedicated physical outlet after completing their official duties during office hours.

Fans can catch more exciting action as Sunday games continue in their regular schedule at 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM, and 5:00 PM. 

Stay tuned to the latest updates, highlights, and live broadcasts by following UNTV Sports on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

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MANILA—DOJ Radiance continued their dominant momentum in the UNTV Cup Executive Face Off 2026, conquering the BJMP Greyhounds with a 65–58 victory on September 16, at the Paco Arena. 

The hard-earned triumph marks the Radiance's second consecutive win of the season, improving their record to 2-0 while handing the Greyhounds their first loss.  

Lipa City Prosecutor and Team Captain Atty. Nonilon Tagalicud spearheaded the DOJ attack, earning Best Player of the Game honors for the second time after delivering a monster double-double performance. 

Atty. Tagalicud powered the offense with 20 points, dominated the glass with 10 rebounds, and added 3 assists and 2 steals to anchor his squad on both ends of the floor.  

Crediting the group’s effort post-game, the Team Captain highlighted their execution and leadership. “Kudos sa team chemistry namin and lalo sa aming coach for really giving us this guidance and giving us the second win,” Tagalicud shared, emphasizing how their strong trust on the floor and strategic coaching paved the way for their early-season success.

The thriller was part of the league’s newly implemented Wednesday schedule adjustments. The UNTV Cup EFO 2026 now features a weekly Wednesday triple-header with tip-offs set for 6:00 PM, 7:30 PM, and 9:00 PM. 

This revised format gives government executives ample time to finish their duties in their respective agencies before hitting the hardwood for a healthy post-work physical routine.

Basketball fans can catch all the live action, game updates, and highlights by following UNTV Sports across their official social media pages and watching the weekly action unfold at Paco Arena.

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MANILA—The PNP Responders showcased relentless grit down the stretch, defeating OP Bagong Pilipinas with a 78-72 victory in their high-stakes battle-for-bronze matchup at the Paco Arena on September 13. 

The hard-earned win officially capped off their campaign, securing the bronze medal this season.

Both teams traded punches in a tightly contested battle, but the Responders executed critical defensive stops and timely baskets in the closing minutes to fend off OP Bagong Pilipinas. 

PNP's disciplined game plan allowed them to hold onto the lead until the final buzzer, sealing their podium finish in the league.

Michael Damiao spearheaded PNP’s podium clincher, earning his first-ever Best Player of the Game honor this season. 

Damiao delivered a stellar performance on the court, dominant on both ends as he posted 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds to anchor the Responders' victory.

"Basta gawin lang namin yung role namin bilang player, gawin namin yung sinasabi ni Coach na play namin. Yung pagiging best player bonus nalang kasi buong team naman po nagtrabaho para sa panalo," said Damiao in the post-game interview. 

Damiao's milestone recognition added a remarkable highlight to an already memorable night, taking home his individual accolade during the crucial battle for third place. 

PNP Responders now look ahead to building momentum off this victory as they finish the tournament on a high note.