LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The finals of the 1st Inter-Agency Unity Games will showcase the battle between two PNP teams in a best-of-three game on November 9, November 11 and if needed a do-or-die match-up on November 13, all games to be staged at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) gymnasium.
It can be recalled that after the quarterfinals, the top four teams competed for the semi-finals: PNP-A, PNP-B, DPWH, and PANELCO.
Last October 28, PNP-B defeated DPWH which automatically secured a seat for the finals. The latter, however, contended for the third spot as game rules stated that the top two teams have the luxury to beat the other two teams only once to secure a seat in the finals while the bottom two have to beat the two top teams twice for them to land a slot in the finals berth.
On the same date, PNP-A was defeated by the PANELCO team thus, a second play-off followed on November 3 but the latter failed to win once more.
PANELCO team battled for third spot against DPWH (Dept. of Public Works and Highways) on November 4 and outscored its rival by four points, 89-85. With this, PANELCO notched the third spot.
Meanwhile, the battle between the two law enforcers teams (PNP-A and PNP-B) for the finals is expected to be as exciting as the past games since both contingents are composed of some high ranking police officials, namely: PPO Deputy Police Director for Internal Affairs Jackson Seguin, Lingayen Chief of Police Fidel Junio, PSupt Rollyfer Capoquian, PPO Asst. Police Director Marlon B. Macam (who earlier suffered leg injury, Dagupan City Chief of Police Franklin Ortiz, among others.
As reiterated by Sports Director Modesto M. Operania, the unity games among government agencies was launched by Gov. Amado I. Espino III primarily to provide a venue for officials and employees to bond as a team and compete against other cagers from different agencies and develop camaraderie.
The best-of-three final games will be shown on a livestream at the official Facebook account of the province.
Schedule of the final match-ups between PNP-A and PNP-B are as follows: Game 1- November 9 (Thursday), Game 2- November 11 (Saturday), Game 3 (if necessary)- November 13. All games will be held at 1:30 PM at the NRSCC gym.
By Dexter A. See