Slams, skills contests usher in PBA All-Star: Jammin’ time

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines – Cyrus Baguio is ready to reclaim the slam dunk crown that he won in 2004, spicing up  an expected epic showdown among five high-flyers and power-slammers in one of the highlight skills competitions in the PBA All-Star Friday at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum here tonight.

If ever, Baguio will be challenging reigning co-champs Justin Melton and Rey Guevarra and three other aspirants Japeth Aguilar, JC Intal and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser in the slam dunk competition that will be missing two former winners Gabe Norwood and Chris Ellis plus Calvin Abueva for various reasons.

“He was overheard saying he wants to join the contest again. Surely, we’ll accommodate the guy. We’ll inform commissioner Chito Salud,” said PBA operations chief Rickie Santos.

 Baguio shocked the PBA in 2004 when as a Red Bull sophomore, the wiry 6-foot-1 slasher outclassed a stellar field to rule the slam-dunk contest.

A possible motivation for the former UST Tiger is to become only the fifth PBA player to win the contest more than once. Multiple winners are KG Canaleta (five), Kelly Williams (two), Vergel Meneses (two) and Don Camaso (two).

But it won’t be easy with Melton, Guevarra, Aguilar, Intal and Rosser all raring to show their best stuff.

Ellis, the 2013 winner, was also eager to compete but couldn’t make it here due to a swollen foot. Norwood, the 2009 champ, begged off due to a nagging injury while Abueva withdrew to honor a previous personal commitment and will fly to Puerto Princesa for the All-Star Game only tomorrow.

The All-Star Friday, starting at 4 p.m., will also be highlighted by a three-point shootout among the league’s top guns and the skills challenge among the league’s most skillful operators.

Capping the day’s hostilities is the Rookies versus Sophomores game that should have featured boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao.

This game has been previously played six times with both sides winning thrice each. The Rookies won the last time, 114-109, in Boracay with Rob Labagala and Sean Anthony sharing MVP honors.

In this tourist haven west of the country, the Rookies team, under coach Peter Martin, will be made up of Ganuelas, Stanley Pringle, Kevin Alas, Chris Banchero, Ronald Pascual, Jake Pascual, Anthony Senerad and Brian Heruela going up against Sophies Raymond Almazan, Justin Melton, Eric Camson, Jeric Fortuna, Alex Nuyles, Terrence Romeo, RR Garcia and LA Revilla, under coach Jeff Cariaso.

Most of them also participate in the side events.

Banchero, Romeo, Heruela and Revilla are among those challenging Mark Macapagal in his quest for a sixth crown in the Three-Point Shootout that will also be participated in by Intal, Arwind Santos, KG Canaleta, LA Tenorio and former winners James Yap and Jimmy Alapag.

Chris Tiu, the 2013 winner, is still in Manila. If he fails to make it, Jeff Chan will be tapped as replacement.

The Obstacle Challenge will feature defending champion Mark Barroca, Tenorio, Revilla, Garcia, Heruela, Banchero, Pringle, Fortuna, Jayson Castro and either Tiu or Paul Lee.

Palawan Gov. Jose Alvarez and NickelAsia top official JB Baylon will be among the judges in the slam dunk contest.