Senator Manny Pacquiao made his much-awaited appearance on Monday as the Senate Defenders opened their title-retention bid on a high note and pulled off a 73-70 thriller over Philippine International Trading Corporation Global Traders in the 7th UNTV Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Though the fighting senator buried two triples right in the first quarter, the Defenders trailed three-fourths of the way before coming through with a whirlwind finish to frustrate the debuting Global Traders.
“What a win to start our title-retention bid,” said Senate coach Mike Fermin. “Very scary, that’s why I told my players we can’t relax because everybody is after our heads.”
With Gary Sevilla and former PBA player Jeff Sanders at the helm, the Defenders outscored the Global Traders in the payoff period, 24-12, snatch the win.
Dr. Daniel S. Razon, president and CEO of BMPI, officially opened the annual tournament for public servants with the charity of the champion team getting P4 million. The runner-up of the annual tournament for public servants gets P2 million.
All prizes, Razon said, are tax-free.
Sevilla led the Defenders with 20 points, while Sanders and Pacquiao chipped in 14 and 12 points, respectively.
The 12 participating teams have been divided into two groups with Senate, AFP, PNP, GSIS, DOJ and PITC comprising Group A while two-time champion Judiciary, Malacañang-PSC, Agriculture, NHA, Ombudsman and PhilHealth making up Group B.
Meantime, the game between the Senate and PITV will be shown on Sunday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on UNTV.