Basketball fans had non-stop fun on Friday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena where the 2014 PBA All-Star Weekend festivities were held. Mark Barroca ended Jonas Villanueva’s five-year reign as Obstacle Challenge king while three-time champion Mark Macapagal waxed hot all night to reclaim the three-point shootout crown and Meralco’s Rey Guevarra and San Mig Coffee’s Justin Melton shared the distinction as 2014 PBA All-Star Slam Dunk kings. Video by INQUIRER.net’s Celest Flores/edited by Ryan Leagogo
MANILA, Philippines — Three-time champion Mark Macapagal waxed hot all night to reclaim the three-point shootout crown in the 2014 PBA All-Star Weekend Friday.
Mark Macapagal Photo by Nuki Sabio/PBA
Macapagal topped the elimination round with 23 points, then carried over the momentum to the final round where he sizzled with 24 points to nip finalists Chris Tiu and JVee Casio.
“This year, I was prepared unlike last year. It was a good thing I had a good start, and I was able to get my rhythm,” the Globalport forward said.
Last year’s champion, Tiu of Rain or Shine, only managed 22 points in the final round while Alaska’s Casio came up short with 20 points.
The victory came as a little reprieve from Globalport’s dismal 0-7 record in the PBA commissioner’s Cup and Macapagal dedicated the title to Batang Pier fans.
“I know our team is not doing (well), but our fans are still behind us. So this win is for them. Although small, at least something good happened to us.”
In the first round, Air21’s Mark Cardona, San Miguel’s Marcio Lassiter, and Meralco’s Gary David all wounded up with 18 points, while Meralco’s John Wilson and Ginebra’s LA Tenorio came up with 17.
Barako’s Ronjay Buenafe and Talk N’ Text’s Larry Fonacier registered the lowest scores with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
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