NBA Madness winners

The biggest National Basketball Association (NBA) Madness ever opens its doors to the public tomorrow on over 30,000 square feet of outdoor space surrounding the Araneta Coliseum.

Six bombshells from the Houston Rockets Power Dancers squad are attending tomorrow’s formal inaugurals at 4 p.m. Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard is coming with his father Dwight Sr., a Georgia State trooper and Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy athletic director, and mother Sheryl.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton and brothers Chris and Nathan are arriving Friday night and will join the other visitors as the Madness’ special guests up to Sunday.

Thousands of entries flooded The Star office for the two contests launched last week to pick 20 lucky winners of passes for the VIP welcome party on Friday night, NBA jerseys, NBA Madness T-shirts and NBA Madness posters.

The VIP welcome party will be hosted by Paolo Bediones. Howard and the Power Dancers will meet NBA Asia executives, Solar Entertainment officers and staff, NBA Madness sponsors and celebrity guests at the party.

The first contest involved answering questions related to Walton. The questions and answers were: Who is Luke Walton’s father? The answer is Bill. And how many assists did Walton compile in Game 2 of the NBA Finals last year? The answer is eight.

The second contest involved answering questions related to Howard. The questions and answers were: Who are Howard’s two favorite players? The answer is Michael Jordan and Kevin Garnett. And what is Howard’s NBA career-high in points? The answer is 29.

Here are the winners in the first contest.

To receive two passes for the VIP welcome party, an NBA Madness T-shirt and an NBA Madness poster each are:

• Maitta Rizza Zapanta, 13, of Inocencio St., Pasay City.

• Lorenzo Calvelo, Jr., 46, of Ilang Ilang Ext., Payatas A, Quezon City.

• Arnold Lee, 33, of Guerrero St., Tondo, Manila.

To receive an NBA jersey, an NBA Madness T-shirt and an NBA Madness poster each are:

• Julius Cesar Macabunga, 28, of Luisita Industrial Park, Tarlac City.

• Jess Carpena, 35, of Tatlong Hari St., Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

To receive an NBA Madness poster each are:

• Antonello Joseph Perez, 12, of Katipunan Ave., White Plains, Quezon City.

• Juanito Rey de los Santos, 32, of Coral St., San Andres, Manila.

• Ruben Miguel Capati, 12, of Alben St., Cogon, Ormoc City.

• Frederick Paul Peronce, 24, of San Sebastian St., Bacolod City.

• Flory Galera, Jr., 37, of Lazala St., Zone II, Bangued, Abra.

Here are the winners in the second contest.

To receive two passes for the VIP welcome party, an NBA Madness T-shirt and an NBA Madness poster each are:

• Williamson Nocom, 34, of 1746 Mabini St., Malate, Manila.

• John Patrick So, 10, of 15 Mother Ignacia Ave., Quezon City.

• Roger Dan Mangmang, 13, of Diaz Compound, Putatan, Muntinlupa.

To receive an NBA jersey, an NBA Madness T-shirt and an NBA Madness poster each are:

• Eugenio Greg Cu, 21, of 356 Magallanes St., Intramuros.

• Richard Loresca, 30, of Quezon St., Bagumbayan, Taguig.

To receive an NBA Madness poster each are:

• Pablo Guillermo Fajardo, 42, of Napocor Village, Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

• Guillermo Salustiano, Jr., 57, of Greenland Subdivision, Rosario, Pasig.

• Francisca Licuanan, 69, of Quirino Ave., Paco.

• John Martinson Ayuste, 30, of San Juan Nepomuceno, Betis, Guagua, Pampanga.

• Isagani Soriano, 49, of Sta. Monica, San Simon, Pampanga.

* * *

We’re extending the deadline for entries in our contest to choose three writers who get the chance to be on the world’s most visited sports website, nba.com, and to meet, up close, two Houston Rockets Power Dancers.

Just write a story on the topic "NBA Madness–The Best Way To Celebrate the NBA Finals 2005." Limit the article to six paragraphs of 10 sentences each or a total of 60 sentences or a total of 500 to 700 words.

You can write about Walton, Howard, and the Power Dancers plus add your thoughts on which two teams will likely slug it out in the NBA Finals this year. Then you can wrap up your piece by explaining why the NBA Madness is the perfect way to experience NBA excitement.

Only students up to the college level are qualified to enter the contest.

We’ll choose the best three stories and each of the three writers will be given an NBA Madness T-shirt, a media all-access pass to the NBA Madness and NBA Madness posters. Additionally, they’ll be given a rare opportunity to interview two Power Dancers for a story to be published in the nba.com blog section. That means the stories will be accessible to over 50 million fans who check out the nba.com website every month.

It’s easy to join. Write your story now and send it to "NBA Madness Reporter," The Philippine Star, sports section, 13th and Roberto Oca Street, Port Area, Manila. Note your name, age, school, year and course, home address, telephone number and signature. Cut-off date to submit your stories is tomorrow afternoon.

Try your luck. Who knows? You could be featured on nba.com and your story will be read by millions.