MANILA—The Ombudsman Graftbusters preserved their glorious record in the UNTV Cup Season 12, beating a resilient COMELEC Vanguards squad, 86-79, on June 7, at the Paco Arena in Manila. 

The hard-fought victory propelled the Graftbusters straight into the next round of the tournament with a pristine 4-0 standing. 

Despite falling short in the thrilling encounter, the Vanguards still successfully advanced to the next phase of the competition, carrying a respectable 3-2 win-loss card.

Former PBA player Bernzon Franco put on a masterclass performance, exhausting everything from his offensive arsenal to anchor Ombudsman's winning surge. 

Franco's dominant inside presence earned him the Best Player of the Game honors after delivering a staggering 24 points and 5 rebounds to anchor the team's offense. 

His veteran composure down the stretch ensured that the Graftbusters prevented any late-game comeback attempts by the Vanguards.

Reflecting on the grueling matchup, Franco acknowledged the immense pressure and the level of resistance put up by their opponents. 

"Binigay sa amin yung game pero hirap kami, napakahirap na laban pero naipanalo pa rin namin," Franco shared in an interview after the game. 

With the elimination hurdles cleared, both teams now shift their focus to the next round, where the competition is expected to intensify.

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