North wins All-Star vs South

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines – The North team – small but quick - outran, outhustled and outgunned the South squad to score a 133-130 win in the 2010 PBA All-Star Game at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum here last night.

Gabe Norwood best typified the effort shown by his team, putting in 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block as he bagged the Handy Fix All-Star Game MVP.

The flamboyant Fil-Am guard-forward went on a dunking spree as the North team outplayed the South at the finish, coming out victorious in the fun, exciting and thrilling match watched by a sellout crowd.

Macmac Cardona, Arwind Santos, Ranidel de Ocampo, Willie Miller and JC Intal also scored in double figures for the North All Stars who avenged their loss in Bacolod in 2008.

“We used our quickness to the hilt. Knowing they have extreme height advantage, the only way to win is to push the ball and score on fast break. Luckily, the effort was enough,” said North coach Ryan Gregorio.

Also calling the shots for the North team, Gregorio won over Joel Banal in 2005 and lost to Boyet Fernandez in 2008.

Push the ball and score on fast break the North team did as they overcame the South’s domination off the boards.

Asi Taulava and Kelly Washington hauled down 11 rebounds each and the South team totaled 69 as against the North’s 57.

 The South team towered in the rebounding battle but couldn’t score at endgame.

Norwood, Cardona and De Ocampo combined for a decisive 6-0 run as the North put the game beyond reach at 133-125 with less than a minute left to play.

Earlier, active players Jeff Chan, Mark Macapagal and Yousif Aljamal humbled old stars Alvin Patrimonio, Kenneth Duremdes and Rhoel Gomez, 51-29, in the Legends Shootout.

NOTES: NBA commissioner David Stern recognized the important role the PBA has played in helping boost the development of the sport of basketball in a congratulatory message to the local pro league on its 35th anniversary. “Our valued relationship with the PBA goes back many years. In that time, your league has played an important role in basketball’s global growth, substantially raising its profile in the Philippines and throughout Asia,” said Stern...As what has become a tradition, the North and South teams had dance numbers after being called to the floor. The South gyrated to the tune of Rude Boy by Rhiana with Joe Devance later having a solo act to the delight of the crowd. The North danced to the tune of Careless Whisper by the Wham.