Dela Cruz bros top NBA 2ball

Brothers John Michael and Elmer dela Cruz scored 65 points, outpointing all comers in the SM North Edsa stop of the NBA 2ball presented by McDonald's last April 29-May 2.

Over 600 teams participated in Week One of the five-week inaugural NBA 2ball in the country with the Dela Cruz siblings topping all of them to lead the six teams advancing to the finals set May 28 at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong.

John Vernon Lopez of Novaliches, Quezon City and James Vincent Martinez of Diliman tallied 54, placing second to the Dela Cruzes in the 16 years old and below category and, thus, also getting a spot in the finals which stakes a grand prize of a free trip to the United States to the winners of each of the three categories.

Another brother pair of Jo Emerson and John Wayne Isada of Pagasa, Quezon City topped the 17 and above category with 64 points with Danilo Gele and Marcelino Delgado coming a close second with 63 points.

In Parent and Child category, Vic and Jojo Pepito of Loyola Heights emerged the top placer with 33 points, followed by Ken and Michael Staples with 29.

Nearly a thousand actually joined the fun and excitement at the SM North Edsa with the others participating in side events such as Pressure Shots or Obstacle Course, Three-Point Shootout, Free-Throw Competition, Dress-Up and Shoot and Wrap-up and Leader Board.

Sponsored by Spalding Balls, Upper Deck Trading Cards, Northwest Airlines, Dusit Hotel Nikko, SM Supermalls and ESPN Star Sports, the NBA fun event is now at SM Fairview. It will be played there until Sunday.

The winner from each division will receive a grand prize of a trip to the US to see NBA games live in the 2000-2001 season. Each finalist will receive a consolation prize of one NBA Gift Certificate and one Spalding basketball.

Participants are required to purchase McDonald's food worth a minimum of P100 (at least P50 per player) to obtain entry forms and register at McDonald's outlets that have been specially designated as NBA 2ball registration centers located in the vicinity of each of the participating SM Supermalls.