BACOLOD CITY—NorthPort’s JM Calma became the new champion of the Obstacle Challenge that kicked off the PBA All-Star Weekend Saturday here.
Calma completed the course in 26 seconds to beat out Rain or Shine’s Santi Santillan and Magnolia’s James Laput in the finals of the event held at University of St. La Salle Coliseum.
Santillan timed in at 29 seconds while Laput finished in 30 seconds.
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The sophomore product of San Sebastian College took the top purse of P30,000.
It’s a good way to start a busy day for Calma, also a participant of the three-point shootout’s big man edition and the Rookies Sophomores Juniors Game.
He beat out San Miguel Beer’s Mo Tautuaa before eliminating Barangay Ginebra’s Ralph Cu in the first two rounds which had a head-to-head format.
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Santillan reached the finals with a victory over Meralco’s Raymond Almazan and Converge’s Justine Arana while Laput won against Blackwater rookie Clifford Jopia and Terrafirma’s Isaac Go.
NLEX’s Dave Marcelo, winner of last year’s edition in Passi City, Iloilo as a member of TNT, failed to defend his crown when he was shown the door by Cu in the opening round.