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THREE of the top gunners in the RP men’s national
team and pro league’s most prolific outside shooter today banner
an elite cast out to challenge William Antonio for the 3-point
shootout title of the 2007 PBA All-Stars.
Nationals Mark Caguioa, RenRen
Ritualo and Dondon Hontiveros join hotshot Gary David as they try to
unseat Antonio as king of long range shooting in the mid-season
extravaganza from April 25-29 in the provinces of San Fernando, La
Union, and Baguio City.
Also entered in the event serving
as one of the thrilling sidelights to the five-day meet supported by
Victory Liner—the official carrier of the 2007 All-Star Week, San
Miguel Beer, Air21, Casino Alcohol, Pigrolac Premium, Accel,
Coca-Cola Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs and Rain or Shine are Larry
Fonacier, Willier Miller, Paolo Mendoza, Denver Lopez and Jun Simon.
Meanwhile, the PBA has decided to
implement the 3-point dunk in both the Blitz Game between the
Sophomores and the Rookies and the featured game pitting the North
against the South All-Stars.
In the past two years, the
novelty play has been applied in the Blitz Game.
Under its rules, a dunk shall be
awarded three points based on three patterns - if a player takes off
from outside of the half-moon arc similar to the “no-charge
zone,” coming off a pass or a rebound and is caught in mid air and
dunked before the player’s two feet touches the floor, and a clear
path to the basket for the offensive player regardless of the take
off.
The referee shall signal with one
raised hand with a closed fist when the attempt to dunk is initiated
from outside the arc and signal with two-raised hand with closed
fist when completed.
It shall be reviewed if the
player indeed elevated from outside the arc following the same
guidelines of review as with a 3-point attempt.
Likewise, any foul by a defender
on an offensive player attempting to make a dunk and who takes-off
from beyond the 3-point dunk arc shall be ruled either a 3-point or
a 2-point attempt based on the criteria specified under the special
guidelines.
Antonio was the unlikely winner
in last year’s 3-point shootout, beating veteran Olsen Racela and
James Yap in the final. Two of the past champions in the last four
staging of the contest - Jimmy Alapag (2003 and 2005) and Ronald
Tubid (2004) - are not seeing action this time.
The three-point shootout, the
Skills Event (Trick Shot and Obstacle Challenge), the Blitz Game and
the much awaited slam-dunk contest will be held on Thursday at the
Pacoy Ortega gym in San Fernando, La Union. The centerpiece event
All Star game will be held in Baguio City on Sunday at the
University of Baguio gym.
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