Justin Gutang slam dunk king; AC Soberano tops shootout

MANILA, Philippines — College of St. Benilde’s Justin Gutang topped the slam dunk competition while San Beda’s AC Soberano emerged the three-point shootout champion as they shared top honors in the Season 94 NCAA All-Star at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Gutang needed just to complete a dunk in the finals to clinch the crown as Arellano U’s William de Leon and Lyceum of the Phl U’s Enoch Valdez failed to complete theirs to crown himself the new slam dunk king.

Later in the night, the Saints used its star power to repeat over the Heroes, 94-89.

San Sebastian College’s Michael Calisaan scored 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to power the Saints to the victory in a virtual repeat of their 84-80 victory last year. Calisaan went on to bag the All-Star MVP trophy.

While it was a close game, the Saints dictated the pace all throughout, leaning on its stellar crew made up of San Beda’s Robert Bolick and Javee Mocon, Letran’s Bong Quinto and San Sebastian’s Allyn Bulanadi.

JC Marcelino paced the Heroes, who played minus reigning MVP Jaymar Perez, with 15 points and lifted twin Jayvee up for a highlight dunk late in the game.

Gutang’s victory was a big improvement for his third place finish in last year’s edition topped by Arellano U’s Lervin Flores with Gutang also emerging the second Blazer to rule the event after Yankie Haruna four years ago.

The winning left-handed jam earned Gutang a score of 41 from the five judges headed by Alab coach Jimmy Alapag.

De Leon and Valdez settled for 30 points each after failing to execute their respective dunk routines.

Gutang’s best dunk came in the elimination when he slammed it in off a pass by teammate Jimbo Pasturan while running from the right baseline, netting him a score of 46 points and a spot in the finals.