Winners in NBA No. 3 draw - SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson

Over 3,000 entries poured into the Philippine STAR lobby for the National Basketball Association (NBA) Game of the Week No. 3 contest. That was the largest draw since we began the four-part series last January.

Not only are the NBA games getting more exciting with the playoffs just a few months away but the prizes are getting better, too, thanks to NBA Asia’s Director of Public Relations Seung Sau Ching.

The No. 4 contest, the last in the series, is on for next week as the Los Angeles Lakers host the Toronto Raptors — expect the ratings to hit the roof on that one. The marquee matchup is, of course, Kobe Bryant versus Vince Carter.

Here are the lucky winners of the No. 3 contest:

First prize — Bernie Tangunan, Jr. of 10-F 8th Ave., Cubao, Quezon City (Minnesota Timberwolves long-sleeved sweatshirt, a Sacramento Kings T-shirt, a Philadelphia 76ers long-sleeved shirt, an NBA bag, an NBA folder (with ball texture) and pad, an NBA magazine from Tower Sports, a Kevin Garnett poster and 2001 calendar from Upper Deck, and an NBA schedule pamphlet).

Second prize — Rodolfo Jectofer Torrente of 130-A Mabini Street, Mandaluyong (a Kings long-sleeved sweatshirt, a Tim Duncan T-shirt, a Bryant poster from Upper Deck, and an NBA schedule pamphlet).

Five consolation prizes (an NBA "I Still Love This Game" CD and schedule pamphlet each) — Antonio Gomez of 006 Taruc St., Oreta II Subd., Maysan Road, Valenzuela City; Leandro Tolentino of Badao Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City; Nerissa Bautista of 3029 4th Street, Guadalcanal, Sta. Mesa; Arthur Yap of 33-C Quezon Street, Iloilo City; and Raul Servito of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., LBP Bldg., Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.

Four consolation prizes (an NBA rubber luggage tag and schedule pamphlet) — Erlisli Lucenada of Lorenzo Street, Zamboanga City; Nerie Lucido, Jr. of Sta. Juliana St., Salapungan, Angeles City; Roberto Buenavista of Lanang, Davao City; and Luis Bernal, Jr. of 81-A Silencio St., Santol, Quezon City.

Bonus consolation prize (Lakers NBA 2000 championship VHS video and schedule pamphlet) — Carlos Lino Pasagui of Cuenco corner Halcon II Sts., Barangay Sta. Teresita, Quezon City.

The correct answers in the contest were: Kevin Garnett scored the first basket, the halftime score was Minnesota 62-Sacramento 31, and Garnett was the top scorer with 40 points.

There are still three unclaimed prizes from our previous contests. In the "Name The No. 1 PBA Draft Pick" contest, Kristine Vasol of San Pablo, Virac, Catanduanes, has yet to pick up her ninth prize package of a Red Bull T-shirt, an Alaska autographed basketball, a Purefoods T-shirt, a Barangay Ginebra T-shirt, and sachets of Boom powder detergent. Kristine phoned to say her sister will pick up the package but so far, it remains unclaimed.

In the NBA Game of the Week No. 2 contest, first prize winner Arnold Lee of 435 San Fernando St., Binondo, has not claimed his prize package of a long-sleeved 76ers sweatshirt, a Lakers backpack, a Portland Trail Blazers media guidebook, and a schedule pamphlet. A consolation prize winner in the same draw, Renato Gonzaga of 85-A 20th Ave., Murphy, Cubao, has also to claim his prize of an NBA "I Still Love This Game" CD and a schedule pamphlet.

All winners have until March 28 to claim their prizes. Unclaimed prizes after that date will be forfeited and offered in our next contest.

To our lucky readers, congratulations. Please call Babes at Tel. 527-6007 for details in claiming your prizes.