‘KG’ ready to soar again for 4th crown

At first, Niño “KG” Canaleta was hesitant to compete again, thinking he has no more to prove with three slam dunk titles under his belt.

But hearing words that Kelly Williams was begging for a rematch, Canaleta obliged.

Add former champion Joey Mente, Reynel Hugnatan, Arwind Santos and Ronald Tubid in the mix, and this set the stage for what could become the best dunking contest in PBA history.

Already a record-holder as three-time champion, the Air21 high-flyer goes for a four-peat in the contest highlighting the 2008 SMART-PBA All-Star Skills Events on April 25 at the West Negros College gym in Bacolod City.

“I want to beg off but then I heard Kelly wants to challenge me,” said Canaleta, 26, a champion slum-dunker since his college days at UE.

Williams, an all-around player having his own arsenal of aerial moves, was tipped to give Canaleta a tough challenge last year in La Union only to take an early exit on two failed executions of a difficult slam right in the first round.

The Sta. Lucia MVP contender is now raring for another assault at the slam dunk title.

“I have nothing to prove, having won three titles, but for the fans, I will go for a fourth crown,” said Canaleta, who has emerged as the sultan of slams in the Laoag, Cagayan de Oro and San Fernando, La Union editions of the annual mid-season spectacle also supported by Pigrolac, Mighty Bond, Coke and Yakult.

“It looks like I’m facing a tougher challenge, I will prepare hard for this title defense,” said Canaleta hinting at pulling off new tricks.

If he’s lucky, Canaleta may even end up with two crowns as he’s also entered in the three-point shootout against defending champion Dondon Hontiveros and fellow challengers James Yap, Junthy Valenzuela, Renren Ritualo, Bitoy Omolon, Willie Miller, Mike Hrabak, Joe Devance and John Arigo.

Competing in the Obstacle Course challenge are Mente, Tubid, Jimmy Alapag, Ronjay Buenafe, Mike Cortez, Marvin Cruz, Chico Lanete, Ryan Reyes, Topex Robinson and LA Tenorio.

The skills events usher in the Rookies versus Sophomores Blitz Game in Day One of the SMART- PBA All-Star festivities backed by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and West Negros College president Suzette Agustin.

The All-Star Game is set on April 27 with the North team seeking a repeat of its 145-142 conquest of the South squad last year.