Vicar, pal top NBA 2ball

Boyet Vicar and Jay Divinagracia of Naic, Cavite tallied the highest points scored so far in the NBA 2ball presented by McDonald's as they topped the competition at SM Southmall with 81 points last weekend.

Like the first three stages of the event, the SM Southmall leg attracted a large number of participants with Vicar and Divinagracia beating them all and leading the six teams advancing to the finals moved from May 28 at SM Megamall to June 3 at the Makati Coliseum due to the recent bombings in Metro Manila.

Eugene Belo of BF Parañaque and Mac Morris Sagala of Tayabas, Las Piñas placed second to Vicar and Divinagracia in the 17 years old and above category with 72 points as they also gained berth 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.

Ryan Nillas and Darryl Rodriguez of Pulang Lupa, Las Piñas and Jeffrey Macatangay and Mark Paul Ocampo of Paraiso Subdivision, Las Piñas advanced to the finals in 16 and below with 57 and 56 points, respectively, while another uncle-nephew teams in Sandy Enriquez and Byron Baesa of Bacoor, Cavite and Alfred Resurreccion and Wowie Florendo of Panapaan, Bacoor gained finals berths in Category 1 with 43 and 37 points, respectively.

Category 1 is actually for a parent and a child but an uncle-nephew team is allowed if the nephew is nine or below.

Vicar and Divinagracia had a near flawless game as they topped the previous high of 80 points scored by Ric John Petalino and Noel Cabel in the SM Fairview leg.

Registration is now ongoing at SM Megamall although the event there was moved to FGM Studio on 1345 Candelaria St., Santiago Village, Makati for security purposes. Event manager Siena Olaso said over 300 teams have already registered for the final week of the NBA 2ball sponsored by Spalding Balls, Upper Deck Trading cards, Northwest Airlines, Dusit Hotel Nikko, SM Supermall and ESPN Star Sports.

The winner from each division will receive a grand prize of a trip to the US to see NBA games live in the 200-2001 season. Each finalist will receive a consolation prize of one NBA Gift Certificate and one Spalding basketball.