MANILA, Philippines – The UNTV Cup, long considered as the first charity basketball league on Philippine Television dedicated for public servants and celebrities, will unfold its Season 5 on August 29, 2016 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City.
This unique basketball tournament for-a-cause where teams have the privilege to play, not for popularity but by giving assistance to the underprivileged members of the society, is the brainchild of UNTV-BMPI CEO and Chairman, Kuya Daniel S. Razon.
WATCH: Razon gave his inspirational message during the Game 3 Finals night of the 4th UNTV Cup last March 14, 2016 at the Big Dome.
Promoting unity, camaraderie, and physical fitness among public servants through sports is the main intent of this innovation of veteran-journalist, Kuya Daniel, who earned the monicker of “Mr. Public Service” through his philanthropic projects through UNTV News and Rescue.
Prior to the current success, Kuya Daniel, a radio and TV broadcaster reminisce the humble beginning of the basketball league. “I am fond of playing basketball since I was a kid. Now that I am older, I thought that we should not only play this game, [but] we should use this [basketball] as a vehicle for public service.”
Each participating teams, including senators, congressmen, and law enforcers, will be given a chance to choose their charitable institutions as their chosen beneficiaries as they perform sporting bravery in the 5th Season of UNTV Cup.
Thirteen Teams
Here are the following competing government agencies and their chosen beneficiaries :
- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP Cavaliers) – Educational Benefit System Office
- Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP Firefighters) – Philippine Science High School Foundation
- Department of Justice (Justice Boosters)
- Government Service Insurance System (GSIS Furies) – Golden Reception and Action Center for Elderly and other Special Cases
- House of Representatives Solons (HOR Solons) – Municipality of Barotac Viejo Educational Assistance
- Judiciary Magis (Magis) – Court Employees Severely Affected by Calamities
- Malacanang Patriots (Patriots) – Philippine Children’s Medical Center
- Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA Black Wolves) – Neonatal ICU – PGH
- National Housing Authority Builders (NHA Builders)- NHA Provident Fund Association Inc.
- Philippine National Police Responders (PNP Responders) – PNP Sports Development Program and Sangguniang Masang Pilipino International Foundation Inc.
- Senate Defenders (Defenders) – Khyte Foundation, Inc. and Pangarap Foundation, Inc.
- Ombudsman Graft Busters (Graft Busters)
- Department of Finance (Transformers)
Cash Prize for the Winning Teams
The UNTV Cup Season 5 Champion will be given a total of four million pesos prize (₱4,000,000) while the second runner-up teams will have two million pesos prize (₱2,000,000). Additionally, 10 non-winning teams will also be given a hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) respectively, as a consolation prize.
UNTV Cup may be an amateur league but is strictly following the FIBA House Rules managed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), which are patterned to world basketball and Olympics rules.
The UNTV Cup Sport Commissioner is Mr. Fortunato “Atoy” G. Co Jr., a Filipino actor and retired professional basketball player of PBA.
“We are partners in public service. We are partners in serving our countrymen,” Razon, also the Vice-Presiding Minister of the Members Church of God International (MCGI), expressed.
Who would be the next title holder as the ‘UNTV Cup Season 5 Champion?’
Can the two-time defending champs AFP Cavaliers won this season or will their archrival PNP Responders bag it this time?#
The Sound of PH 
Can’t wait to see this unique basketball tournament. Thanks be to God!
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