Photo from PBA IMAGES
LUCENA — Last year’s slim defeat may have been painful, but that only made Chris Newsome’s conquest of the Slam Dunk Contest in the 2017 PBA All-Star Week much more sweeter.
The Meralco sophomore finally achieved what eluded him last season as he edged James Forrester in the Slam Dunk Finals to emerge as the champion.
Newsome for the win! #PBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/tLX6MbkpmA
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 28, 2017
“It feels great to finally walk away with the Slam Dunk crown. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my career,” he said. “It makes me feel blessed knowing that my athleticism doesn’t go unnoticed and I’m blessed to be able to showcase my talent.” Newsome completed his off-the-bounce windmill slam and followed it up with an off-the-glass dunk after a juggling sequence to nab 87 points in the final round. GlobalPort foe Forrester also had a strong case, but couldn’t follow up on his reverse two-handed dunk over teammate Stanley Pringle as he finished with 86 points.
James Forrester with the mail-man dunk! He gets a 46! #PBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/PeunIOXLIT
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 28, 2017
“I was just talking with James and we’re saying to each other that we want to bring out the best from both of us,” said Newsome. Favored to win the plum from the get-go, Newsome kept the crowd on its feet as he dazzled in the first round with his off the bounce dunks to finish with 95 points. Forrester also had 95 in the first round, with his most notable being the 360 mailman dunk which earned him a 46.
Rey Guevarra jumps over three guys and gets a 44! #PBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/nGWowc8jGI
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 28, 2017
Defending champion Rey Guevarra was denied of his fourth straight crown as he could only muster 87 in the first round.
Ginebra’s Jammer Jamito (76 points) and Alaska’s Marion Magat (69) also joined the contest.