Beermen’s Fortuna new PBA obstacle challenge champ

Jeric Fortuna is the new Obstacle challenge champion. Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines—Second-year guard Jeric Fortuna of the San Miguel Beermen came out of nowhere to win the Obstacle Challenge in the 2015 PBA All-Star Friday in Puerto Princesa City here.

Fortuna clocked in 32.1 seconds in the final round — besting Alaska Aces rookie Chris Banchero and Jonas Villanueva of the NLEX Road Warriors.

The former University of Santo Tomas standout also logged 32 ticks in the first round — the second fastest behind Banchero, who set the tone with 28 seconds in his first try.

“Wala akong masyadong iniisip aside from gawin lang best ko. I was just confident about myself,” said Fortuna, who added that he had only learned about his participation in the obstacle course two days ago.

“I also asked advice from the veterans how to perform in the skills challenge.”

And wisely, Fortuna asked tips from no other than Villanueva himself, who had seemed to have mastered the course after winning it for four times.

In the final, Banchero and Villanueva were at least five seconds behind.

Both Banchero and Villanueva missed all of their attempts from the 3-point area in the championship round.

Fortuna came in last and it worked to his advantage with Banchero having a terrible time in the championship round with 44.9 seconds while Villanueva took 37.7 seconds to finish.

Apart from the trophy, Fortuna also won P60,000.

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