By Diego de la Paz
CUBAO, Philippines (Eagle News) – Raymond Almazan followed through the prodding of his legendary teammates to lead the Stalwarts five past the Greats, 99-94, in the opening night of the 2016 PBA All-Star Weekend at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday night.
The Rain or Shine slotman, whose 23 points on a 10-for-18 clip from the field with 12 rebounds output led the way for the Stalwarts, was enough to push their squad past the Johnny Abarrientos-led Greats in a tight last two minutes.
Almazan’s efforts were rewarded, as he was named the Most Valuable Player for the match.
PBA D-League star Mike Tolomia of the Phoenix Accelerators added 14 points with six assists, while former San Miguel and Alaska forward Nic Belasco added 11 points with nine rebounds. Mahindra playing-coach Manny Pacquiao waxed hot in the first half with nine points.
Adding luster to the Stalwarts lineup were PBA legends Alvin Patrimonio, Ronnie Magsanoc, and Topex Robinson; with current PBA players David Semerad and Chris Banchero plus D-League stars Raphael Banal and Russel Escoto rounding out the cast.
Star Hotshots forward Ian Sangalang led the way for the Greats with 14 points plus eight rebounds, while D-League rep Jonathan Grey added 13 points.
Meanwhile, the trio of Maverick Ahanmisi of Rain or Shine, Terrence Romeo of Globalport, and Rey Guevarra of Meralco ruled the side events earlier in the night.
Ahanmisi became the second rookie since Rob Johnson won the inaugural edition in 2003 to win the Obstacle Challenge. He won the final round with a time of 33 seconds, defeating the likes of Carlo Lastimosa of Blackwater, Mark Cruz of Phoenix, Paolo Taha of Mahindra, and Earl Thompson of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Romeo, on the other hand, bested Niño Canaleta of Mahindra and RJ Jazul of Alaska with 20 points in the final round, while his foes only mustered 17 points each.
Guevarra joined Canaleta as the only players to have won the dunk contest in three consecutive years. He beat out Chris Newsome of Meralco in a photo finish, 97-96.
BOX SCORES:
STALWARTS 99 – Almazan 23, Tolomia 14, Belasco 11, Pacquiao 9, Magsanoc 8, Cruz 8, Banchero 6, Robinson 6, Patrimonio 6, Semerad D. 4, Escoto 2, Banal 2.
GREATS 94 – Sangalang 14, Grey 13, Belo 10, Ahanmisi 10, Locsin 10, Daquioag 8, Pogoy 7, Semerad A. 7, Ravena 6, Bugia 6, Abarrientos 3.
Quarters: 25-20, 41-43, 66-71, 99-94.
