MANILA—The Ombudsman Graftbusters preserved their unblemished record in a thrilling, down-to-the-wire encounter, clipping the PNP Responders, 70-62, in the UNTV Cup Season 12 elimination round on May 17, at the Paco Arena.

The Graftbusters relied on a suffocating defensive blueprint and steady execution down the stretch to weather a furious PNP rally and escape with the hard-fought victory.

Paul Ladia earned Best Player of the Game honors after orchestrating the Graftbusters' offense and anchoring their defensive line. 

While he finished with a modest 5 points, Ladia dominated the floor by filling the stat sheet with 7 rebounds, a staggering 12 assists, and 4 steals. 

His masterclass in playmaking culminated in a cold-blooded, clutch three-pointer in the crucial moment of the game, effectively crushing the Responders' comeback hopes and sealing the win.

Reflecting on the grit required to pull off the victory against a tough PNP squad, Ladia credited their collective trust and defensive focus for the comeback. 

“Tiniyaga lang namin sa depensa, then tiwala lang kami sa isa’t isa, nagtiwala kami sa sistema nila coach kaya kami nakahabol,” Ladia said in a post-game interview.

With the win, the Graftbusters keep their flawless campaign alive while sending a clear message to the rest of the league.