MANILA—The AFP Cavaliers staged a gritty second-half comeback to notch their first victory of UNTV Cup Season 12, outlasting the DENR Lawin Patrollers, 78-72, on Sunday at the Paco Arena in Manila. 

The Cavaliers faced a steep uphill battle early on, trailing for much of the first half as DENR sizzled from the field with a high shooting percentage. 

AFP’s offensive rhythm was further hampered by a string of unforced turnovers, allowing the Lawin Patrollers to dictate the pace and build a comfortable cushion heading into the break.

Determined to turn the tide, the Cavaliers emerged from the locker room with renewed defensive intensity, effectively neutralizing DENR’s hot hand. 

The military squad slowly chipped away at the lead, capitalizing on transition opportunities and tightening their grip on the paint. 

As the game entered a high-stakes fourth quarter, the momentum shifted firmly toward the Cavaliers, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

Darwin Cordero earned Best Player of the Game honors with a masterful all-around performance, finishing with 28 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. 

Cordero proved to be the ultimate stabilizer for AFP, filling every column of the stat sheet to keep his team within striking distance. 

With the game hanging in the balance, Cordero silenced the opposition by sinking a cold-blooded, go-ahead jumpshot in the "twilight zone" of the final period, effectively sealing the win and putting the Cavaliers in the Season 12 win column.

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