Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Gerald Dizon nailed the title-clinching halfcourt shot to give Perpetual the Shooting Stars crown in the 2017 NCAA All-Star Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Only a year removed from his playing year with the Altas, Dizon, who is now an assistant for the juniors team, capped off the victory for his team which includes GJ Ylagan, and Jielo Razon as they finished with a time of 24.8 seconds.
“When I shot it, it was straight. I thought it would go board. I’m just thankful it fell in,” the alumnus said in Filipino.
Dizon even had a fun bet with Razon and Ylagan before the contest.
“We really do this. Whoever loses will buy us a meal,” said Dizon.
“It really feels good. Even before the competition, we all talked and said that we wanted to win this. But we didn’t put any pressure to anyone. We just told each other to keep on shooting,” said Ylagan.
The Altas edged Arellano which was comprised of Zach Nicholls, Kobe Camacho, and Donald Gumaru, who had a time of 41.7 in the Final round.
Perpetual also led the preliminaries as Razon punctured the halfcourt shot to end the time at 20.7 seconds.
Other participants were the Lyceum unit of Spencer Pretta, Mac Guadaña, and Chico Lanete; the San Beda team of Clint Doliguez, Evan Nelle, and Dan Sara; the JRU squad of MJ Dela Virgen, Toby Agustin, and Dave Sanchez; the Mapua team of Cedric Pelayo, Clint Escamis, and Randy Alcantara; the San Sebastian group of Michael Are, Rustin Rodriguez, and Paul Riguera; the Letran crew of Daryl Pascual, Neil Guarino, and Robert Guevarra; the EAC team of Jervin Guzman, Maui Cruz, and Bong Melocoton; and the St. Benilde squad of Edward Dixon, Joshua David, and Karl Santos.