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SAN JUAN CITY—Defending champion AFP Cavaliers wasted no time asserting their dominance, dismantling the Ombudsman Graftbusters, 83-63, in the opening game of the UNTV Cup Executive Face Off 2026 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on September 6.
The Cavaliers immediately made a powerful statement, kicking off their title defense with a decisive 20-point blowout that put the rest of the league on high alert.
Reigning 2025 Season and Finals MVP Paul Carbajal spearheaded the relentless charge for the military squad.
Continuing his dominant form from last season, Carbajal controlled the pace, delivered clutch plays, and earned Best Player of the Game honors to jumpstart the Cavaliers' campaign on a high note.
The MVP emphasized that disciplined execution and physical conditioning proved to be the winning formula in their season opener.
"Mag-stick lang kami sa plan kung ano yung sinasabi ng coaches namin and of course kailangan magpa-kondisyon kasi pag executive kasi mas mahirap yung conditioning, oras na ia-allot para sa mga practice… so, kailangan talaga ibuhos namin lahat," Carbajal shared post-game.
With a strong 1-0 start in the bag, the AFP Cavaliers set the tone early for the rest of the tournament. As the executive tournament ramps up, the champions remain laser-focused on maintaining their conditioning and tactical sharpness to keep their throne secure.
SAN JUAN CITY—High-ranking government officials trade their suits for jerseys as the UNTV Cup Executive Face Off 2026 officially tips off on September 6, 2026, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Elevating the country’s premier charity basketball league to new heights, this season unleashes top agency executives onto the hardwood to compete for hard-court glory while driving substantial financial assistance to vital charitable causes.
Every point scored and victory earned translates directly into expanded public service, solidifying the league's mission of combining athletic excellence with nationwide charitable impact.
Eleven formidable government agencies step onto the court this season, each determined to champion their causes and capture the title:
Expect high-octane action right from the opening tip-off as these executive leaders showcase their conditioning, tactical hustle, and competitive drive.
Facing a grueling tournament schedule, the participating agency heads are proving that their commitment to the Filipino people extends far beyond office desks.
Basketball fans can look forward to fast-paced, physical match-ups, setting an aggressive and inspiring tone for the entire 2026 season.
Don't miss a single minute of the action! Catch the games live at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City to support your favorite government leaders, or stream the coverage online through the official UNTV Sports social media channels.
WIN in SPORTS, WIN for CHARITY!
MANILA—The AFP Cavaliers punched their ticket to the UNTV Cup Season 12 Finals after fending off a resilient PNP Responders squad, 69-65, in Game 2 of their best-of-three semifinal clash on September 2 at the Paco Arena.
AFP sealed a 2-0 series sweep to eliminate their rival and secure their sixth overall finals appearance in league history.
Demonstrating unrelenting defensive grit down the stretch, the Cavaliers thwarted every comeback surge launched by the Responders.
The dramatic victory positions the four-time champions back on the league's biggest stage for the first time since 2023, when they captured their fourth title against the Judiciary Magis.
Now, AFP stands just wins away from claiming a record-extending fifth championship crown in the premier Sports and Charity league.
Leading the charge for the Cavaliers was star player Michael Bañaria, who earned Player of the Game honors for the fourth time.
Bañaria turned in a dominant all-around performance, dropping 17 points and pulling down 5 rebounds to anchor AFP’s offense and withstand PNP’s pressure.
“Tulad po ng sinasabi ng coaching staff namin, teamwork, hardwork at saka tiyaga lang sa depensa at one game at a time lang po talaga kami,” Bañaria reflected after the hard-fought victory, crediting their collective defense and discipline.
Looking ahead to the championship clash, he pledged complete commitment: “Ibibigay po namin yung 100% po namin sa laro tsaka patience, teamwork lang po palagi tsaka makinig po palagi sa coaching staff.”
With the semifinals behind them, the AFP Cavaliers are set for a colossal Finals matchup against the Ombudsman Graftbusters.
Beyond the prestige of agency glory, both teams prepare to clash for the ultimate prize—funding the vital missions of their chosen charitable beneficiaries.
WIN in SPORTS, WIN for CHARITY!
MANILA—Redemption is within reach! The Ombudsman Graftbusters completed a dominant sweep of their best-of-three semifinal clash, punching their ticket back to the UNTV Cup Season 12 Finals after tearing down OP Bagong Pilipinas, 81-75, on September 2 at the Paco Arena.
Hungry to erase the lingering heartbreak of last season’s devastating championship loss to the Agriculture Food Masters, the Graftbusters played with unrelenting grit to reclaim their spot on the league's biggest stage.
Team captain and star point guard Paul Ladia spearheaded the Graftbusters’ fiery charge, earning Best Player of the Game honors with a monster stat line of 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
Setting the tempo early and executing crucial defensive stops late in the fourth quarter, Ladia ensured his squad never let their grip slip during the high-stakes showdown.
“Ginawa ko lang yung part ko as a point guard and leader nitong team na’to kasi gusto ko sa’kin mag-umpisa yung drive namin sa laro, yung fire, gusto ko sa’kin magmula kasi ako yung captain ball eh. Ayun, nagtulung-tulong naman kami nakuha namin yung panalo,” a passionate Ladia shared after the hard-fought victory.
His steady leadership on the hardwood served as the sparks that ignited Ombudsman’s unstoppable rhythm.
With the sweep locked in, the Graftbusters now brace for a titan collision against the powerhouse AFP Cavaliers in what promises to be an explosive UNTV Cup Season 12 Finals.
More than just fighting for prestige and their agency’s elusive first-ever league title, Ombudsman enters the ultimate battle with a higher purpose: capturing the grand championship to extend vital support to their chosen charity.
WIN in SPORTS, WIN for CHARITY!
MANILA—Mark Chan buried a fearless, cold-blooded three-point buzzer-beater to drag the Ombudsman Graftbusters past OP Bagong Pilipinas, 71-68, in a heart-stopping Game 1 of the UNTV Cup Season 12 best-of-three semifinals on August 26 at the Paco Arena.
The dramatic victory pushed the Graftbusters within a single win of the tournament finals, seizing early momentum in the high-stakes series.
In a tense fourth-quarter showdown where every possession mattered, Chan stepped up as the hero when his team needed him most.
Taking the game into his own hands as the clock ticked down, he let fly from beyond the arc to break a tight deadlock and shatter the hearts of the OP squad.
The ice-cold dagger earned Chan the Best Player of the Game honors, putting an exclamation mark on a fiercely contested battle.
Following his game-winning heroics, Chan credited the unwavering trust of his squad for giving him the nerve to take the final shot.
“Yung confidence nanggaling sa coaches ko, nanggaling sa teammates ko. So, talagang binuhos namin ngayon kasi semifinals na. Sabi nga namin, no more tomorrow, buhos kami. Yung confidence sa kanila talaga galing, bibitawan ko talaga,” Chan shared after steering the Graftbusters to the crucial series-opening victory.
Pushed to the brink of elimination, OP Bagong Pilipinas now faces a must-win situation heading into Sunday's Game 2.
They must immediately regroup and bounce back to force a deciding tie-breaker if they want to keep their championship dreams alive, while the Graftbusters look to close out the series and secure their ticket to the finals.
