To dunk or not to dunk

As I wrote this column, it still wasn’t certain if Air21’s high-flying Niño (KG as in Kevin Garnett) would join the Slam Dunk contest at the West Negros Gym in Bacolod City today. He’s listed in the battle order but the latest scuttlebutt is the Tarlac leaper is trying to wiggle out of it.

Canaleta initially thought of skipping the joust because after three straight crowns, it didn’t seem like there was anything left to prove. Canaleta intimated he would let the pretenders vie for the title without him but vowed to come back next year.

Then, someone said Sta. Lucia Realty’s Kelly Williams dared him to show up for a face-off. When asked if he really issued the challenge, Williams denied it. Apparently irked by the intrigue, Canaleta later decided to join the party after all and go for a record fourth trophy.

But has KG had a change of heart? If he backs out, the PBA will impose a hefty fine. Canaleta probably wouldn’t mind the fine if Air21 picks up the bill. 

Canaleta is entered in the 3-Point Shootout, also in today’s calendar, so he might just focus on draining treys and leave the slamming to Williams.

If Canaleta doesn’t withdraw, it’ll be harder for Williams, Joey Mente, Arwind Santos and Ronald Tubid to impress the judges. Original entry Reynel Hugnatan opted out of the competition, complaining of pain in his knees. So did Cyrus Baguio for the same reason. Hugnatan and Baguio said their lift has been severely hampered by gimpy knees.

Baguio would’ve been a worthy contender. Skyrus won the crown in Cebu four years ago with Hugnatan the runner-up. What makes Baguio a sight to behold is he’s shorter than Canaleta or Williams yet he soars just as high or maybe even higher.  Canaleta, however, can do a lot more in the air because of his long arms and spindly legs. Neither lacks for creativity.

Mente, the 2001 champion, is back for another try to regain the title. But he, Tubid and Santos won’t be able to match Williams’ power. So it’ll likely come down to a showdown between Williams and if he reports for duty, Canaleta.

There will be three rounds in the eliminations with the top three finishers advancing to the double-round finals. 

Other events lined up tonight are the Obstacle Challenge featuring Jimmy Alapag, Ronjay Buenafe, Lordy Tugade, Marvin Cruz, Chico Lanete, Mente, Ryan Reyes, Topex Robinson, L. A. Tenorio and Tubid in a race against time, the 3-Point Shootout with Canaleta, John Arigo, Joe DeVance, Dondon Hontiveros, Mike Hrabak, Willie Miller, Bitoy Omolon, RenRen Ritualo, Junthy Valenzuela and James Yap and the Rookies vs Sophomores Blitz.

In the Shootout, each player has 60 seconds to convert from five areas around the three-point arc. The top three scorers after the first round will move on to the single-round finals. The finalists automatically qualify to play legends Boy Cabahug, Roel Gomez and Boyet Fernandez in one of two events (the other is the Shooting Stars) leading to the All-Star Game on Sunday.

Miller is the two-time defending Obstacle Challenge champion but he’s up against a formidable foe in former titlist Robinson who clocked 30 seconds in 2005. Mente timed 30.4 seconds in 2004 and Alapag, 32.9 in 2003 so they, too, will threaten Miller whose best clocking was 30 ticks last year.

Hontiveros is out to win a second straight Shootout trophy. But three-time runner-up Ritualo and last year’s second placer Miller are ready for dethronement proceedings.  Hrabak, who led the league in three-point shooting last conference, is a darkhorse.  First-timers in the contest are Canaleta, Hrabak, DeVance, Omolon, Valenzuela and Arigo. Yap was fourth in 2005 and third in 2006. He’ll draw inspiration from the hometown crowd.

In the Rookies vs Sophomores Blitz, the rules will include three points for a dunk, six seconds to cross the timeline, an 18-second shot clock, 10-minute quarters, no fouling out but an automatic free throw for every personal over six and no ejections for two technicals. 

This year’s freshmen are Yousif Aljamal, Ken Bono, Buenafe, Cruz, DeVance, Samigue Eman, Doug Kramer and Lanete while the Sophs are Mark Andaya, JunJun Cabatu, Jireh Ibanes, Mark Isip, Magnum Membrere, Chris Pacana, Jay-R Reyes and Tenorio. 

Obviously, the accent will be on quickness in the contest. Rebounding is essential in triggering the break if there is no turnover. Offense, not defense, will make the difference so the key is to pile up points in a hurry. The Rookies appear to have the edge in height (DeVance, Eman, Kramer, Bono, Aljamal) and quickness (Cruz, Lanete, Buenafe). It’ll be an upset if the Sophs prevail.

The All-Star extravaganza couldn’t be more exciting in Bacolod City.