Melton, Guevarra emerge lords of the rim

Game tomorrow (MOA Arena)

5 p.m. – PBA All Stars vs Gilas Pilipinas

MANILA, Philippines - Diminutive power dunker Justin Melton and equally exciting jammer Rey Guevarra crowned themselves last night as co-champions of what’s easily the most creative, competitive and thrilling slam-dunk contests seen in PBA All-Star festivities in years.

The 2014 PBA jamming competition at the MOA Arena lived up to the hype with Melton and Guevarra sharing top honors after jaw-dropping tricks that netted them exactly the same scores in the preliminary round, in the finale and in the dunk-off.

The 5-foot-8 Melton and the 6-foot-2 Guevarra, on his third participation in the PBA slam-dunk contest, soared above defending champion Chris Ellis, the fancied Japeth Aguilar and three other noted slammers in Cliff Hodge, Calvin Abueva and Alex Nuyles.

The co-champs, both throwing down with flair and power, drew three perfect 40 points and one 39s from the panel of judges composed of PBA all-time greats Atoy Co and Bogs Adornado, TV panelist Ramon Bautista and PBA Press Corps president Barry Pascua.

In the finale, Melton wowed the crowd by going up high, catching the ball in mid-air and drilling it down hard.

With acrobatic flair, Guevarra, on the other hand, executed a two-handed reverse.

Then no one would still give an inch in the dunk-off.

Guevarra first did a spinning “Statue-of-Liberty” slam then Melton again bounced the ball off the floor, then extending his body to catch the ball in mid-air for another thunderous throw-down.

The other participants tried to be creative, but the night really belonged to Melton and Guevarra.

Mark Macapagal and Mark Barroca also earned high marks in the All-Star Friday of the All-Star Week that culminates with the All-Star Game tomorrow in the same venue.

The former three-time three-point shootout champ Macapagal reclaimed his title, conquering defending titlist Chris Tiu, 24-22, in a thrilling finale.

Barroca, meanwhile, ended Jonas Villanueva’s record four-year reign as Obstacle Challenge champion, topping the final round despite a missed layup in the first station of the event.

“I really thought about it. I figured out which is really my sweetest spot,” said Macapagal, the first champ of the three-point shootout under a revised format.

Introduced this year was the money rack with five money balls (two points each) which the shooter can put at his choice spot.

Macapagal went 5-of-5 from his sweet corner – left quartercourt – to highlight a hot shooting that handed him a record fourth three-point shootout crown.

Pressed for time in his closing rack, Jvee Casio netted only 20 points for second runner-up honors.

Out after the elims were Mark Cardona (18), Gary David (18), Marcio Lassiter (18), LA Tenorio (17), John Wilson (17), Ronjay Buenafe (14) and Larry Fonacier (12).   

Barroca perfectly executed the passing and the other shooting tests, and completed the course with a best time of 29.8 seconds, thus, dethroning Villanueva who clocked 36 seconds.

“It’s about mental preparation. It worked. I’m blessed,” said Barroca.

Casio was the other losing finalist, clocking 54.5.

Barroca also topped the elimination round at 31.4, followed by Villanueva (34.9), Casio (38.3), Willie Miller (40.5), Sol Mercado (41.6), LA Tenorio (42.9), Paul Lee (44), Jayson Castro (49.4) and John Wilson (54.2).