Romeo, Guevarra 3-pt, slam kings anew

Game tomorrow

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5 p.m. – Shooting Stars/Women’s 5 on 5

7 p.m. – North vs South All Stars

MANILA, Philippines - Terrence Romeo mowed down the opposition again in a successful title defense in the three-point shootout while Rey Guevarra outperformed all challengers in aerial showdown, making it as slam dunk champ for the third time in the PBA All-Star Skills Competitions last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Romeo, the GlobalPort third year star, beat out Mahindra’s KG Canaleta and Alaska Milk’s RJ Jazul in an explosive shootout, becoming the fifth player to win the three-point shooting competition for at least two consecutive years after Allan Caidic, Jasper Ocampo, Boyet Fernandez and Mark Macapagal.

Guevarra, meanwhile, soared above everybody yet again, becoming only the second player to reign supreme in the slam-dunk contest for at least three straight years after five-time winner Canaleta.

Rain or Shine rookie Maverick Ahanmisi gained a piece of the spotlight as the winner of the Obstacle Challenge event, winning the finale over Mark Cruz, Carlo Lastimosa, Mark Barroca, Paolo Taha and Scottie Thompson.

Out after the elims were deposed champion Jeric Fortuna, Chris Newsome, Chris Banchero, Emman Monfort, Bryan Heruela and Jai Reyes.

Romeo, Guevarra and Ahanmisi pocketed P30,000 each for their winning performances in the kickoff event of the 2016 PBA All-Star Weekend.

“I think it’s largely about focus,” said Romeo in his three-point shootout victory marked by 24 points in the elimination round then 20 in the finale.

Canaleta fired a record 25 points in the elims but cooled down and scored only 17 in the final. Jazul had 22 in the elims and also 17 in the medal round.

In a highly competitive shootout, failing to make it past the elims were Garvo Lanete (20), James Yap (19), Troy Rosario (16), Jayjay Helterbrand (14), Jeff Chan (14), Jared Dillinger (13), Almond Vosotros (9), Alex Cabagnot (7) and Simon Enciso (7).                             

The All-Star skills competitions were also marked by a creative, exciting dunking showdown, with Guevarra coming out the winner in an all-Meralco final duel versus Newsome.

“It’s my passion and I’m happy to win it again,” said Guevarra, a champion slam dunker from his collegiate days with Letran.

Guevarra won by the thinnest of margins on a final dunk where he soared past 6-foot-7 Raymond Almazan and Jericho Cruz for a tomahawk finish that earned him 47 points from the panel of judges composed of Alvin Patrimonio, Bong Ravena, Nic Belasco, Johnny Abarrientos and Canaleta.

He needed to make at least 47 in his final routine after Newsome skied high for a 360-degree turn with a gliding finish that drew a perfect 50.

In one of the most exciting dunking finales, Guevarra had his own perfect 50 earned in a between-the-legs, undergoal slam routine.

Chris Banchero and Raymond Almazan teamed up in a lethal 8-0 tear at endgame and the Manny Pacquiao-spiced up Team Stalwarts topped Team Greats, 99-94, in the All-Star Blitz Game.

Almazan came through with 23 points and 11 rebounds and emerged the Best Player in the highlight game of the All-Star Friday gathering a curious mix of PBA legends, PBA newcomers and PBA D-League top guns.

The Stalwarts that featured old greats Alvin Patrimonio, Ronnie Magsanoc, Nic Belasco and Topex Robinson triumphed on the crucial endgame assault of Banchero and Almazan.

Pacquiao scored nine points all in the first half for the winning team.

Joining the four-way elims battle were Franklin Bonifacio and James Forrester.

Guevarra topped the double-round elims with 94 points as against Newsome’s 88.

The scores:

STALWARTS 99 – Almazan 23, Tolomia 14, Belasco 11, Pacquiao 9, Magsanoc 8, Cruz 8, Banchero 6, Robinson 6, Patrimonio 6, Semerad D. 4, Escoto 2, Banal 2.

GREATS 94 – Sangalang 14, Grey 13, Belo 10, Ahanmisi 10, Locsin 10, Daquioag 8, Pogoy 7, Semerad A. 7, Ravena 6, Bugia 6, Abarrientos 3.

Quarterscores: 25-20, 41-43, 66-71, 99-94.