Kelly Williams is again sultan of slam, Macapagal stays as 3-point king
source: www.PBA.ph
BORACAY – Kelly Williams reclaimed the slamdunk crown with relative ease but Mark Macapagal and Jonas Villanueva went through a wringer to retain their three-point shootout and obstacle challenge titles, respectively.
It was the 2011 PBA All-Star Friday at the Boracay Eco-Village and Convention Center saved by thrilling victories by Macapagal and Villanueva.
What was expected to be a battle royal in the slamdunk contest turned to be a ho-hum event.
It was a virtual no-contest as both Gabe Norwood and Jay Washington didn’t show up and those who did just couldn’t put up a good fight no matter how hard they tried.
A routine dunk was all Williams needed to seal the win, sending him in the company of KG Canaleta and Vergel Meneses as among the only players to rule the event more than once.
Losing finalist Rey Guevarra practically handed the crown to Williams on a silver platter as the rookie Petron Blaze forward -- a champion dunker in his college days with Letran -- failed to execute his final dunk.
Williams converted a two-handed jam from a pass by Jimmy Alapag all the way from the stands to highlight his tricks in the night.
What was expected to be a battle royal in the slamdunk contest turned to be a ho-hum event.
It was a virtual no-contest as both Gabe Norwood and Jay Washington didn’t show up and those who did just couldn’t put up a good fight no matter how hard they tried.
A routine dunk was all Williams needed to seal the win, sending him in the company of KG Canaleta and Vergel Meneses as among the only players to rule the event more than once.
Losing finalist Rey Guevarra practically handed the crown to Williams on a silver platter as the rookie Petron Blaze forward -- a champion dunker in his college days with Letran -- failed to execute his final dunk.
Williams converted a two-handed jam from a pass by Jimmy Alapag all the way from the stands to highlight his tricks in the night.
That execution during the eliminations drew perfect 50 points from the panel of judges, coming on the heels of a 49 he earned from a thunderous windmill jam.
Guevarra gained the right to challenge Williams in the finals after garnering a total score of 95 points from a cradle dunk and a 360-degree slam.
Failing to make it past the eliminations were Ronald Tubid, Elmer Espiritu, JC Intal and Josh Vanlandingham.
But to the credit of all the participants, they tried to be creative in a bid to wow the crowd.
“I would have wanted KG (Canaleta) and Gabe (Norwood) to be part of it. Still, it’s sweet to win the contest,” said Williams, reclaiming the slamdunk championship he won in 2008.
“It’s a blessing to be a part if it. Two years ago, I didn’t think I can do it again,” added Williams, back in awesome form after his recovery from a blood disorder problem.
Norwood, the 2009 winner, wasn’t able to take a shot at a second crown due to an injury. Washington, meanwhile, was simply a no-show.
Macapagal and Villanueva extended their reign in their respective events but not after facing tough fight from their challengers.
Macapagal poured in 17 points, beating Ronald Tubid by one and Jimmy Alapag by two as he became the league’s fourth back-to-back winner of the three-point contest after Allan Caidic, Jasper Ocampo and Boyet Fernandez.
The Powerade wingman remained the league’s best pistolero, topping a crack field that also included Dondon Hontiveros, James Yap, Joe Devance, Macmac Cardona, Sunday Salvacion and Ronjay Buenafe.
“Ang sarap ng panalo. Of course, honor ito para sa akin,” said Macapagal.
Actually, Macapagal barely made the finals with 12 in the elimination round as against the 14s of Tubid and Alapag.
Salvacion had 11, Cardona 10, Hontiveros and Buenafe nine apiece, Devance 8 and Yap 7.
For his victory, Macapagal won an amount for his home province of Pampanga from the sponsoring Maynilad Water Services Inc.
“It’s important that we take part in nation building. More than providing water, Maynilad also
wants to make sure that we are champions of the environment, protecting water resources,” said
Patrick Gregorio, Maynilad’s commercial and marketing senior vice president.
Villanueva had his moment earlier in the night, successfully defending his crown in the Coca-Cola
Obstacle Challenge.
The B-MEG Derby Ace guard submitted an all-time fastest winning time of 29.5 seconds and became the
third player to emerge as Obstacle Challenge repeat champion after Rob Johnson and Willie Miller.
“Ang hirap mag-defend ng title. Ang taas ng pressure,” said Villanueva, earning P20,000 for his
victory.
Rain or Shine’s Ronjay Buenafe finished second at 32.1 seconds and Chris Ross third at 33.5.
Out after the elimination round were Josh Urbiztondo (43), LA Tenorio (30.1), Miller (31.5), Alex Cabagnot (32.1), Sean Anthony (40.1), Jimmy Alapag (42.3). Ross topped the eliminations at 28 seconds, followed by Villanueva at 29 and Buenafe at 29.7.
Villanueva ended Miller’s three-year title reign last year, ruling the event in 31.7 seconds. Miller finished second at 34.7 and Buenafe third at 37.1.
The PBA All-Star Week is presented by Smart, Accel, Molten, Islander, Rain or Shine and Powerade and sponsored by Coca-Cola, Meralco, Alta Vista Boracay, Talk n Text, Puma and Maynilad. (SB)
Guevarra gained the right to challenge Williams in the finals after garnering a total score of 95 points from a cradle dunk and a 360-degree slam.
Failing to make it past the eliminations were Ronald Tubid, Elmer Espiritu, JC Intal and Josh Vanlandingham.
But to the credit of all the participants, they tried to be creative in a bid to wow the crowd.
“I would have wanted KG (Canaleta) and Gabe (Norwood) to be part of it. Still, it’s sweet to win the contest,” said Williams, reclaiming the slamdunk championship he won in 2008.
“It’s a blessing to be a part if it. Two years ago, I didn’t think I can do it again,” added Williams, back in awesome form after his recovery from a blood disorder problem.
Norwood, the 2009 winner, wasn’t able to take a shot at a second crown due to an injury. Washington, meanwhile, was simply a no-show.
Macapagal and Villanueva extended their reign in their respective events but not after facing tough fight from their challengers.
Macapagal poured in 17 points, beating Ronald Tubid by one and Jimmy Alapag by two as he became the league’s fourth back-to-back winner of the three-point contest after Allan Caidic, Jasper Ocampo and Boyet Fernandez.
The Powerade wingman remained the league’s best pistolero, topping a crack field that also included Dondon Hontiveros, James Yap, Joe Devance, Macmac Cardona, Sunday Salvacion and Ronjay Buenafe.
“Ang sarap ng panalo. Of course, honor ito para sa akin,” said Macapagal.
Actually, Macapagal barely made the finals with 12 in the elimination round as against the 14s of Tubid and Alapag.
Salvacion had 11, Cardona 10, Hontiveros and Buenafe nine apiece, Devance 8 and Yap 7.
For his victory, Macapagal won an amount for his home province of Pampanga from the sponsoring Maynilad Water Services Inc.
“It’s important that we take part in nation building. More than providing water, Maynilad also
wants to make sure that we are champions of the environment, protecting water resources,” said
Patrick Gregorio, Maynilad’s commercial and marketing senior vice president.
Villanueva had his moment earlier in the night, successfully defending his crown in the Coca-Cola
Obstacle Challenge.
The B-MEG Derby Ace guard submitted an all-time fastest winning time of 29.5 seconds and became the
third player to emerge as Obstacle Challenge repeat champion after Rob Johnson and Willie Miller.
“Ang hirap mag-defend ng title. Ang taas ng pressure,” said Villanueva, earning P20,000 for his
victory.
Rain or Shine’s Ronjay Buenafe finished second at 32.1 seconds and Chris Ross third at 33.5.
Out after the elimination round were Josh Urbiztondo (43), LA Tenorio (30.1), Miller (31.5), Alex Cabagnot (32.1), Sean Anthony (40.1), Jimmy Alapag (42.3). Ross topped the eliminations at 28 seconds, followed by Villanueva at 29 and Buenafe at 29.7.
Villanueva ended Miller’s three-year title reign last year, ruling the event in 31.7 seconds. Miller finished second at 34.7 and Buenafe third at 37.1.
The PBA All-Star Week is presented by Smart, Accel, Molten, Islander, Rain or Shine and Powerade and sponsored by Coca-Cola, Meralco, Alta Vista Boracay, Talk n Text, Puma and Maynilad. (SB)
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tags: PBA,Kelly Williams, PBA ALLSTAR, BORACAY
