Love helps locals win ‘Challenge’

MANILA, Philippines - NBA star Kevin Love fired 15 points for Team Chris Tiu then shot 19 points for Team Marc Pingris in the three-point shootout of the Master Game Face All-Star Basketball Challenge swept by Team Chris Tiu at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday night.

Team Chris Tiu topped Team Marc Pingris, 58-55, in the three-point shootout and completed a twinkill with a 135-110 victory in the exhibition game featuring some PBA players and collegiate stars.

Love gamely participated in the three-point shootout contributing 15 points for the winning team that included Tiu (17), Jeff Chan (13) and UST player Kevin Ferrer (13).

Jeric Teng and UE Warrior Roi Sumang rifled in 13 points each and Gary David tossed in 10 for Pingris’ squad. Love needed to make 23 points for Team Pingris to win, but the Minnesota Timberwolves gunner connected just 19.

Love stayed around, signing autographs and posing for photo shoots with the players and the fans as Ginebra high-flying forward Chris Ellis led Team Tiu to victory in the featured game.

Ellis led all scorers with 31 points with FEU guard Mike Tolomia contributing 20 and Meralco forward Cliff Hodge and Ateneo wingman Chris Newsome adding 13 apiece.

Though with the losing team, Ginebra behemoth Greg Slaughter won MVP honors with 27 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

He wowed the crowd with a 3-of-5 clip from beyond the arc.

“I’ve always known how to shoot but there are more important plays for me to do as big man,” said Slaughter after the game.

Barako Bull forward JC Intal and GlobalPort rookie RR Garcia chipped in 20 and 17 points, respectively, for Team Marc Pingris.