Ace shooters ready to mow ’em down

MANILA, Philippines — The PBA’s finest marksmen slug it out in what promises to be a thriller of a shootout for the title Three-Point King of this year’s All-Star weekend.

Two former champions in TNT Katropa’s Terrence Romeo and James Yap of Rain or Shine, along with some of the league’s deadliest gunners have sharpened their skills in a bid to topple defending champion Allein Maliksi of Blackwater.

Maliksi won the crown last year in Lucena City, edging LA Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra and Romeo by sinking the last money ball during the finals.

This year’s competition is expected to be as tough and interesting as last season with the entry of Marcio Lassiter (San Miguel), Matthew Wright (Phoenix), Paul Lee (Magnolia), JVee Casio (Alaska), Larry Fonacier (NLEX), Stanley Pringle (GlobalPort), Ronald Tubid (Columbian Dyip), and Tenorio.

KG Canaleta of Meralco completes the lineup as a late replacement for the injured Garvo Lanete.

The three-point shootout side event will be held alongside the slam dunk contest and the obstacle course on May 25 in Batangas City during the second leg of the All-Star week that has Phoenix Fuel with Phoenix Pulse Technology as major sponsor.

Considered as one of the league’s top gunners today, Lassiter is wary of the star-studded field as he bids for his first ever three-point title in the league.