Missing the 2011 PBA All-Star Week

I missed the 2011 PBA All Star Weekend in its entirety as I went over to GF's house this weekend and expectedly lost the battle of the TV's remote control.

The annual PBA all-star weekend was held this year at Boracay Convention Center, Boracay, Aklan from May 18 - May 23 with a theme title Hala Bola!

2011 PBA All-Star Weekend
Image from Wikipedia

Reading from the official PBA website for the recap of the annual PBA classic, it seems that I did not miss a lot regarding the slam dunk contest as Kelly Williams easily emerged victorious. Perennial slam dunk threat KG Canaleta wasn't around to defend the crown he won last year.

But I sure am regretting having missed the 2011 3-Point Shoot-out as Mark Macapagal was able to defend the crown he won last year against strong rivals that gave him a close fight. And the 2011 All-star game which was very close and won by the North All-stars only in the end. Tsk, tsk!

But what I missed the most is to see my favorite, Allan Caidic, hoisting those 3 point shots. Even though he, with Ato Agustin & Alvin Patrimonio, lost to Ronald Tubid, Mark Macapagal & Jimmy Alapag in the 2011 All-Star Week Legends Shootout, it would be a blast just seeing Caidic, shoot the ball.

I think I better get one of those TV cellphones.

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2010 PBA All-Star Weekend: KG Canaleta wins Slam Dunk Contest

I was kinda hesitant to watch the 2010 PBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk contest, thinking it just might be a bore. But it was more entertaining than I thought of at first.

Nino "KG" Canaleta dunked his way over people literally enroute to his fourth Slam Dunk title against Kelly Williams, last year's champ Gabe Norwood, JC Intal and Rico Maierhoffer at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum in Palawan.

Photo credits from Fire Quinito.


Maierhoffer entertained the crowd, Intal did a Samboy Lim impersonation, Gabe Norwood dunked a lot but failed to impress the judges.

Only Kelly Williams was able to give Canaleta a good dunk fight, even tying him in the judges' score in the final round. Williams was the 2008 title holder but failed to defend his crown last year due to illness. He is undoubtedly the most powerful dunker among the participants. his alley-oop via the backboard from the waist reverse dunk was my favorite.

Eventual winner KG Canaleta utilized his great leaping ability and length to the fullest dunking over 3 persons to break the final tie.

This one's better than the previous contest last year. Only David Noel, backflip and all, saved last year's contest.

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2010 PBA All Star Weekend : Mark Macapagal wins 3 Point Shoot-out

I was glad to catch the 2010 PBA All-Star Weekend's 3-Point Shootout. My favorite event in All-star activities whether in the PBA or in the NBA.

Mark Macapagal of the Coca Cola Tigers bested 9 others to win this year's edition of the shootout.

It was not that spectacular shooting display but fairly entertaining just the same. Macapagal just edged out Jeffrey Chan and surprising finalist Yousif Aljamal as they finished with 13, 12 and 11 points respectively in the final round. The three will meet the legends on another shootout on Sunday.

Photo credits: Here.

My personal pick was Renren Ritualo who did well in first four racks but took more time than necessary. He wasn't able to finish the last rack and even stopped as an unofficial buzzer sounded. He finished with 14 points.

Aljamal surprised everyone including me by topping the elimination round with 19 points. He wasn't able to sustain though in the last round, coming up with only 11 points.

It was a dismal showing for previous winners like Tubid, Alapag, Hontiveros and Yap. None worse than Yap who, I think, didn't even reach double digit points.

Eventual winner, Macapagal scored 17 in the first round, while Chan scored 16 points.

For me, it will be more exciting if players who scored 15 or more could advance in the next round. It would be sad if players advancing to the next round can not even come up with at least 15 points. Then, it's not apt to be called a shoot out.

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