MANILA—The AFP Cavaliers pulled off a massive upset in UNTV Cup Season 12, downing the tournament's top-seeded Ombudsman Graftbusters, 88-84, at the Paco Arena on August 2. 

The thrilling victory marks a critical resurgence for the Cavaliers, who desperately needed a win after enduring a brutal three-game losing streak in the second round of the eliminations. 

By outlasting the powerhouse Graftbusters, AFP proved they are still serious contenders capable of taking down the league's best.

Michael Bañaria stepped up big time when the Cavaliers needed it most, capturing the Best Player of the Game honors. 

Bañaria spearheaded the AFP attack by delivering a stellar performance, dropping 20 points and grabbing 2 rebounds to anchor his team's offense and defense down the stretch. 

His relentless energy on the court provided the perfect antidote to the Graftbusters' top-tier ranking, rallying his teammates to fight through the pressure and secure the hard-earned win.

Reflecting on the team's grit and dedication to turn their season around, Bañaria credited their intense preparation for the breakout victory. 

“Nakapag-balik po kami ng laro namin kasi araw-araw po kami nagpa-practice dahil sa game namin na tatlong loss so kailangan talaga namin mag step up bawat isa sa amin at saka ginawa lang po namin yung rules namin doon sa loob at doon naman po naging maayos naman po yung hardwork ng teammates ko at saka yung coaches,” Bañaria said in a post-game interview. 

With their losing skid finally snapped, the Cavaliers look to carry this newfound momentum deeper into the tournament.

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