Yap, Norwood put titles on line in skills contest

MANILA, Philippines - James Yap and Gabe Norwood try to defend their respective titles in the skills competitions of the PBA All-Star game firing off this Friday in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Yap, the former league MVP and top gunner of B-Meg Derby Ace, goes for a second straight three-point shootout title over a strong 10-man field that includes two former champions in Dondon Hontiveros of San Miguel Beer and Air21’s RenRen Ritualo.

On the other hand, the high-leaping Norwood, last season’s Rookie of the Year from Rain or Shine, defends his slam dunk crown against a talented cast that includes three-time champion KG Canaleta of Derby Ace and former titlist Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia.

The three-day annual classic will again feature the North versus South classic with Yap leading the way for the South after emerging as the player with the most number of fan votes as a starter. Norwood, meanwhile, suits up for the North squad as a last-minute replacement for the injured Kerby Raymundo.

Derby Ace back-up point guard Paul Artadi will also be back to defend his Obstacle Challenge title. Out to foil his bid are Willie Miller of Alaska, Ronjay Buenafe of Air 21 and Solomon Mercado of Rain or Shine.

Also entered in the same skills event are Barako Energy Coffee’ s Jojo Duncil, Chris Ross of Coca-Cola, Jason Castro of Talk n Text, San Miguel’s Jonas Villanueva, Josh Urbiztondo of Sta. Lucia, White of Alaska and either Peter June Simon or Timberlake for Derby Ace.

Challenging Yap, Ritualo and Hontiveros in the three-point shootout are Jimmy Alapag of Talk n Text, Tenorio, Urbiztondo, Rain or Shine’s Jeff Chan, Mark Macapagal of Coke, Barako Coffee’s Yousif Aljamal and Barangay Ginebra’s Ronald Tubid.

Yap beat Hontiveros in last year’s duel to win his first three-point contest plum in the league.

Norwood edged Canaleta in their duel last year with Williams skipping the slam competition after suffering a blood disorder.

But the Rain or Shine stalwart lost to Ginebra import and 2000 US NCAA slam dunk champion David Noel in their dunk off.