MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer forward Doug Kramer made the most out of a once-in-a-lifetime shootout —albeit in a makeshift hoop—against an NBA All-Star.
Kramer came out on top against Toronto Raptors swingman Demar DeRozan, 23-21, in the first KFC Fully Loaded Shootout on Sunday at KFC in Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
The game was a 60-second shootout at a makeshift gallery inside the KFC restaurant filled with basketball fans.
DeRozan, who played in the NBA All-Star Game for the first time early this year, is also a former Slam Dunk champion.
The Toronto Raptors forward along with Wesley Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers were in Manila over the weekend for the NBA 3X, an annual 3-on-3 event of the NBA in the Philippines.
DeRozan arrived in the country on the back of a breakout season where he steered the Toronto Raptors back into the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 2007-2008 season.
Kramer’s victory actually lifted Team KFC to a double victory after the Media Team of Randy Caluag, Matt Ardina and Lito Oredo emerged champion in a separate shootout. “It’s a good thing I was able to practice,” said Kramer.
Team Media proved its worth with victories over Team Funshots and Tropang Chillers.
In the finals, Media tripped Team NBA’s Walang Iwanan composed of Mark Ryan Armada, Jek Magbuhos and Joric Rivera, 32-24.
“By having our country’s own basketball star Doug Kramer represent Team KFC, we showcased the love that Filipinos have for this game,” said KFC Philippines marketing director Errol Magdato.