Baguio out to topple Cablay in slam dunk

CEBU — Remember a young, skinny Vergel Meneses, then a little-known NCAA player, suddenly bursting into prominence by humbling the PABL (now PBL) stars in the league’s slam dunk contest in the late 80s?

Unknown to many, Red Bull Barako’s Cyrus Baguio had that kind of feat done here in Cebu in the mid-90s, winning the Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (CAAA) slam dunk competition when he was still a high school player at Southwestern University.

Local hero Dondon Hontiveros, among the collegiate stars beaten by Baguio in that contest, vividly remembers Baguio’s glorious moment. And Hontiveros said he won’t be surprised if the Barako sophomore two-guard emerges as the Sultan of Slam in the 2004 PBA All-Star Week.

Therefore, there could really be a dunking contest in the offing. Earlier, not a few were saying it would just be a showdown between reigning champion Brandon Cablay of Alaska Milk and deposed titlist Joey Mente of San Miguel.

Cablay has vowed to do everything he can to retain the title while Mente has just said he wants to regain it.

But if they don’t watch out, they could fall victim to Baguio’s ambush.

"Siyempre gagawin ko rin ang lahat para manalo. At para na rin akong nagde-defend ng turf dahil naglaro ako dito," said Baguio, a native of Iligan who spent his high school years here before moving to UST in college.

But Baguio admits he faces tall odds in one of the skills competitions featured in the ongoing PBA All-Star festivities here. The side events are to be played Saturday at the Mandaue Sports Complex.

"Mabigat ang laban ko at baka kainin ako ng buhay," said the 6-foot-2 former UST Tiger.

Experts, however, give Baguio an equal chance of winning it with Cablay and Mente.

"Yang tatlong iyan at siguro si Ronald Tubid ang maglalaban diyan," said Marc Pingris, FedEx’s entry in this event.

Other slam dunk participants are Talk N Text’s Asi Taulava, Ginebra’s Sunday Salvacion, Coca-Cola’s Reynel Hugnatan, Alaska Milk’s Sonny Thoss, Purefoods’ June Simon and Sta. Lucia’s Mark Omolon.

Aside from the CAAA victory, Baguio also had a slam dunk championship in the PBL Showcase in 2000. Then representing Hapee Toothpaste, Baguio beat Tubid, Gilbert Malabanan, Chester Tolomia and Robert Gonzales, among others.

But the CAAA triumph is what lingers in Baguio’s mind.

"Nanood lang ako noon. Eh, nilagnat yung player naming na si Roy Vistal, may nagturo na lang na i-palit ako," said Baguio, who could already dunk with ease at 5-foot-11 in his third year at SWU High.

ALL-STAR NOTES: Baguio made a key shot as the PBA Stars fought the RP Wheelchair basketball team to a 12-all draw in a five-minute exhibition match at the Mandaue Complex Wednesday. Before the game, the RP players conducted a clinic for local handicapped players........ Later in the day, the Sports Turista squad, led by Waterfront general manager Patrick Gregorio and former Mama’s Love mainstay Paul Abais and mentored by former Presto player Lawrence Merced, beat the PBA Commissioner’s Office, 91-85, in another exhibition tiff at the Punta Princesa gym.

"Talo kami sa coaching blunder," joked Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio who reinforced the Commissioner’s Office mentored by PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial.