Injured king soars to 5th slam title

Simon three-point champion at 38

CALASIAO, Philippines — A slight groin injury a few days before D-Day didn’t stop Rey Guevarra from soaring to PBA All-Star glory, joining KG Canaleta in the pedestal as five-time slam-dunk kings.

With the injury, Guevarra made adjustments in his routines with a good amount of success, thus repeating over Renz Palma in a slam off to be a five-time winner over the last six editions of this annual PBA midseason spectacle.

Beau Belga retained his crown in the Obstacle Challenge while PJ Simon stunned everybody, including himself, in winning the Three-Point Shootout as a first-time participant at age 38.

Guevarra, Belga and Simon all wowed the highly appreciative crowd at the Calasiao Sports Complex in the kickoff skills events ushering in the All-Star Weekend to be highlighted by the North-versus-South All-Star Game tomorrow.

“Usually, my dunks come off a one-foot takeoff. Nag-isip ako ng two-foot jumpers because of the injury,” said Guevarra of his winning stuffs over Palma and two other challengers in CJ Perez and Lervin Flores.

And no sooner, there were those raising the idea of pitting Guevarra and Canaleta in a one-on-one showdown in next year’s All Stars.

Canaleta himself egged on Guevarra to win the Calasiao contest so that he can consider rejoining the event next year. “Siya nagsabi sa akin,” said Guevarra.

Canaleta scored his last of five slam-dunk titles in 2012.

Final protagonists for a second straight year, Guevarra and Palma were in an exciting showdown that ironically came down to a disappointing finish as the Blackwater sophomore couldn’t execute on his final slam.

Both finalists had just then scored a perfect 50 each in the first round of the finals.

 As Palma bungled his chance in the slam off, Guevarra gathered on the floor his Phoenix Pulse teammates who parted like the Red Sea as the slam dunk king ran the floor for a Tomahawk.

“I’d like to thank my teammates, our team management and coaches for their support. Grabe suporta nila para makuha ko yung fifth slam-dunk crown,” said Guevarra.

Meanwhile, Simon emerged as three-point champ in his very first try, beating Robert Bolick, Philip Paniamogan, Matthew Wright (15), Mike Digregorio (15), Rashawn McCarthy (15), Baser Amer (14), RR Pogoy (11), Simon Enciso (11), Kevin Ferrer (11), James Yap (11) and Marcio Lassiter (seven).

Guevarra soars to 5th… From Page 16

“I didn’t expect that. Actually I’m happy that I was just able to join the shootout at the twilight of my career,” said Simon, the newest gunner from the San Mig Food/Purefoods franchise to win the contest after Boy Cabahug, Boyet Fernandez, James Yap and Allein Maliksi.

But Simon barely escaped with the win as Bolick missed his final shot (the money ball) to end with 16 points as against the champ’s 17. Paniamogan was another surprise contestant, firing 20 points in the elims before settling for 14 in the finale.

Belga topped the Obstacle Challenge for the second straight year, beating Russell Escoto and Yousef Taha in the finals.

Failing to make it past the knockout rounds were June Mar Fajardo, Noy Baclao, Justin Chua, Marion Magat, Mo Tautuaa, Reymar Jose, Prince Caperal, Brian Faundo and Kyle Pascual.

 Belga survived a spill in the elims to make it to the finale where he clocked 21 seconds, only 0.3 ahead of Escoto.