When the Raptors narrowed the gap to four with three minutes to go, Wallace personally took charge and hit seven straight points for the Blazers. There wasnt much Toronto could do to stop the 6-11, 230-pound forward. Neither Kevin Willis nor Antonio Davis could hold him down. Charles Oakley couldve helped but sat out the action on a suspension. Wallace finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
"Hes really raised the level of his game," said Portland coach Mike Dunleavy, quoted by Greg Boeck. "Hes always been a versatile defender. We thought he could become a better shot blocker because of his length and quickness and a better rebounder on a permanent basis and more aggressive as the guy in the low post. In all three of those areas, hes really picked up his game. I think hell be in the MVP hunt because his game is an all-around game and his versatility is so great. Hes an outside shooter, hes a low-post scorer. Hes a defender of guys on the perimeter and low post. Hes playing the total game."
Billy Ray Anabo, 17, was awed by Wallace who soaked up long minutes on the floor and stuck the dagger deep into Torontos heart. The 6-2 Anabo plays power forward and center for Letran. Before Wallace caught his eye, Anabo said Vince Carter was his favorite NBA player. And he idolizes Ginebras Vergel Meneses.
RonJay Enrile, 18, closely watched how Toronto shooting guards Alvin Williams and Del Curry worked off picks to get good looks from outside. Enrile plays point and offguard. Hes known as a shooter and scorer, once hitting 52 points against Philippine College of Criminology in a Metro Manila Basketball League (MMBL) game last season. Enrile polished his skills scrimmaging with the likes of Letran stars Willie Miller, Kerby Raymundo, Erwin Velez, and Chris Calaguio even as a prepster.
Boyet Bautista, 17, wasnt only impressed by Williams hot shooting but also by his defense. Williams knocked in 10 of his 17 points in the fourth period as the Raptors staged a late rally. And he limited Damon Stoudamire to a single triple in the final 12 minutes.
Ira Buyco, 16, liked Shawn Kemps smarts. The 6-3 center who hopes to someday play in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), picked up pointers from Kemp on how to outsmart his defender fishing for fouls, flopping, and using his body for position.
Letrans Media Center head Fr. Jose Sibug, who accompanied the boys, said it was "an incredible experience" to watch an NBA game live. Fr. Sibug, 36, teaches TV production at the Intramuros school. He was ordained in 1993.
The trip was sponsored by Nike as the boys prize for capturing the 3-on-3 title.