Tough act to follow

BACOLOD CITY – It’ll be difficult to outdo the PBA All-Star Game that was settled in overtime at the West Negros University gym here last Sunday.

Next year’s extravaganza will be held somewhere in the North. Lucena is an option but there seems to be a growing sentiment to stage it in Manila.

Since the All-Star Game adopted the alternate hosting format for the North and South teams in 2004, Manila has not been tapped as a site. Cebu, Laoag and Cagayan de Oro were the first three hosts. Last year, the two-part program started off in San Fernando, La Union, and ended in Baguio City.

In the next All-Star Weekend, Air21’s high-flying Nino Canaleta will be out to regain the Slam Dunk crown he voluntarily relinquished this year after three straight championships.

* * * *

Three-point shooting was at its best in the South’s 163-158 overtime win. The combined 32 conversions set a new All-Star Game record, eclipsing the mark of 24 set in Laoag in 2005. The South’s 18 treys also broke the record for most hits by a team. The North owned the previous mark of 13 when it beat the South, 131-128, in Laoag.

PBA legend Allan (The Triggerman) Caidic holds the All-Star Game record for most triples with 9-of-13, registered in the North’s 149-129 romp in 1993. Last Sunday, Jimmy Alapag buried a game-high six triples.

By the way, the contest was marked by 22 ties and 22 lead changes, indicating how close it was.

Local hero James Yap was on his way to an MVP night after scattering 23 points in the first three periods and connecting on a difficult driving layup to give the South a two-point lead, 149-147, with about 20 seconds left. But Ranidel de Ocampo equalized for the North, time down to 10.4 ticks. Yap missed an open triple that would’ve won the game in regulation as the buzzer sounded.

Yap was thrilled that Purefoods teammate and roommate Peter June Simon won the MVP award. They broke into the pros together with Purefoods in 2004. After the game, Yap took Simon to Escalante where his sons Joshua and Baby James waited to celebrate.

Yap brought his sons to Escalante for a vacation last Thursday. They went back to Manila on separate flights yesterday.

* * * *

The lowest priced ticket went for P600 but it allowed entry to the All-Star programs last Friday and Sunday.

Host West Negros University’s varsity is known as the Mustangs.  Former PBA cagers Yves Dignadice and Mike Mustre are West Negros discoveries. Ateneo’s Nonoy Baclao also traces his roots to the Bacolod institution.

Jeff Sy, whose brother-in-law Tony Agustin runs the school, helped out the PBA in organizing the event. He closely coordinated with PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial and Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia.

“It’s an honor for West Negros to host the All-Star Game,” said Sy. “Our school has a rich basketball tradition. We’re the nine-time provincial champion. And we’re doing our share to promote and develop basketball at the grassroots level.”

* * * *

North coach Ryan Gregorio said his team was outsized by the South but the deficiency didn’t faze him. “I’m used to playing small with Purefoods,” he said. “At least, we had Nic (Belasco), Ranidel (de Ocampo) and Rico (Villanueva) to help out in rebounding.”

Although the South showed up with only 11 players due to Danny Seigle’s absence compared to the North’s 12, coach Boyet Fernandez did a good job of shuffling his troops. Down the stretch, the South had fresher legs on the floor because of Fernandez’ masterful pacing.

* * * *

In the Shooting Stars contest before the Legends Shootout and the All-Star Game last Sunday, the fans were treated to a tasty appetizer. Former PBA cager and now TV broadcaster Jason Webb banked in a two-handed heave from halfcourt in his only attempt from the distance to win the title with 25.9 seconds left in the two-minute clock. Webb sank four baskets, Ronald Tubid one and guest Councilor Greg Gasataya one to complete the mandatory conversions in six different spots.

The two other teams failed to make the halfcourt shot and fell a basket short of the requirement. Broadcaster Dominic Uy, who was Tanduay’s fourth round pick in 2001, Bitoy Omolon and guest Atty. Goldwin Nifras (Bacolod City administrator and secretary of Mayor Leonardia) made up one team while former pro and now TV broadcaster Richard del Rosario, Ronjay Buenafe and guest Councilor Jun Gamboa played on the other squad.

Mayor Leonardia begged off from playing because of lack of practice. But on the court before the contest, he took two corner jumpers and sank one – not a bad field goal percentage.