MANILA—The DOJ Radiance staged a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback to secure their first victory of UNTV Cup Season 12, edging past the Senate Defenders, 70-66, on May 24, at the Paco Arena.

The Senate Defenders dictated the tempo early on, controlling the game from the opening tip through the third period and building a comfortable double-digit cushion early in the final quarter. 

Refusing to back down, the Radiance ignited a furious late-game rally, putting on a defensive masterclass and executing timely offensive plays to erase the deficit and pull off a stunning comeback.

Lester Dela Cruz spearheaded the DOJ fightback, putting up a stellar performance to earn Best Player of the Game honors. 

Dela Cruz anchored the Radiance with 24 points, while adding 2 rebounds and 5 assists to complete the dramatic turnaround. 

His scoring outburst and steady playmaking in crunch time proved to be the perfect antidote to the Defenders' early dominance.

Following the hard-fought triumph, Dela Cruz credited their defensive adjustments and preparation for stopping the Defenders' final desperation plays. 

"Sinabi lang po ni Coach Jerry na ready kami sa kickout nila kasi obviously naman mag-3 points sila," Dela Cruz shared, highlighting the team’s discipline in shutting down the perimeter. 

With the victory, DOJ Radiance successfully breaks into the win column, establishing a crucial momentum shift moving forward in the tournament.