Williams does it easy in PBA slam

B ORACAY, Philippines  – Kelly Williams converted a two-handed jam from a pass by Jimmy Alapag all the way from the stands to highlight his easy win in the 2011 Hala Bola! PBA All-Star Week slamdunk contest at the Boracay Eco-Village and Convention Center here last night.

It was a virtual no-contest as both Gabe Norwood and Jay Washington didn’t show up and losing finalist Rey Guevarra practically handed the crown to Williams on a silver platter as the rookie forward failed to execute his final dunk.

“I wanted KG (Canaleta) and Gabe (Norwood) to be part of it. Still, it’s sweet to win the contest,” said Williams, reclaiming the slamdunk championship he won in 2008.

“It’s a blessing to be a part of it. It’s a blessing for me to win it after two championships (with Talk n Text in the season’s first two conferences). Two years ago, I didn’t think I can do it again,” added Williams, back in awesome form after his recovery from a blood disorder problem.

The super athletic Fil-Am player said he would try to make it two in a row next year in his hope to lure four-time champion Canaleta back in the contest.

Williams is now in the company of Canaleta and Vergel Meneses as the only players to win the slamdunk contest at least twice.

Norwood, the 2009 winner, wasn’t able to take a shot at a second crown due to an injury. Washington, meanwhile, was simply a no-show.

The absence of Norwood and Washington gave Williams easy time winning the event over Guevarra, Elmer Espiritu, JC Intal, Ronald Tubid and Josh Vanlandingham.

“I guess I can still dunk a little bit more. I’m inspired by the presence here of my wife Erica and 18-month-old son Charlie,” said Williams.

Three-point king Mark Macapagal and Obstacle Challenge title-holder Jonas Villanueva extended their reign in their respective events but not after facing tough fight from their challengers.

Macapagal poured in 17 points, beating Tubid by one and Jimmy Alapag by two as the Powerade wingman became the league’s fourth back-to-back winner of the three-point contest after Allan Caidic, Jasper Ocampo and Boyet Fernandez.

The former SSC Stag remained the league’s best pistolero, topping a crack field that also included Dondon Hontiveros, James Yap, Joe Devance, Macmac Cardona, Sunday Salvacion and Ronjay Buenafe.

“I felt so good defending the title, knowing only a few have achieved the feat,” said Macapagal.

Actually, Macapagal barely made the finals with 12 in the elimination round as against the 14s of Tubid and Alapag.

Salvacion had 11, Cardona 10, Hontiveros and Buenafe nine apiece, Devance 8 and Yap 7.

For his victory, Macapagal won an amount for his home province of Pampanga from the sponsoring Maynilad Water Services Inc.

“It’s important that we take part in nation building. More than providing water, Maynilad also wants to make sure that we are champions of the environment, protecting water resources,” said Patrick Gregorio, Maynilad’s commercial and marketing senior vice president.

Villanueva had his moment earlier in the night, successfully defending his crown in the Coca-Cola Obstacle Challenge.

The B-MEG Derby Ace guard submitted an all-time fastest winning time of 29.5 seconds and became the third player to emerge as Obstacle Challenge repeat champion after Rob Johnson and Willie Miller.

“Ang hirap mag-defend ng title. Ang taas ng pressure (It’s tough to defend the title. There’s so much pressure),” said Villanueva, earning P20,000 for his victory.