Jebb Bulawan made his dunks count when they mattered.
Bulawan jumped over Lyceum teammates Joseph Gabayni and Shaq Alanes and connected on a two-handed slam to cap off a successful run in the NCAA Slam Dunk Contest Friday at San Juan Arena.
“This is my first time to win a dunk contest. I lost last year so I really made it a point to do my best,” said Bulawan.
It was a successful championship round for Bulawan who dunked over a seated Gabayni in his first attempt but fell on his back in his landing.
Though in pain after the awkward fall, Bulawan still followed it up with another attempt over a hunched Gabayni and Alanes to come away with a score of 59 to win the title.
The 22-year-old Sorsogon native outsteadied Yankie Haruna of St. Benilde, who jumped over JR Ongteco in his first attempt but failed to complete a slam in the second.
Haruna looked like he was on pace for the title as he dazzled in the three-round eliminations with 79 points, with Bulawan chasing him with 71 points.
Other participants were Laminou Hamadou (50 points), Elie Ongolo-Ongolo (63 points), Mark Ubado (48 points), Allyn Bulanadi (65 points), Prince Eze (63 points), Rey Publico (48 points), and Michole Sorela (63 points).