Jay R. Gotera
MANILA — The North All-Stars prevailed over the South All-Stars, 154-151, in an entertaining but tightly fought exhibition game to cap the 2016 PBA All-Star Weekend Sunday night.
It was the North’s eighth win in 10 PBA All-Star games.
San Miguel Beer’s Alex Cabagnot was named the All-Star MVP as he paced the North with 29 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Last year’s All-Star MVP Terrence Romeo of GlobalPort finished with 25 points. Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar and TNT KaTropa’s Troy Rosario posted 21 points apiece, with both of them dazzling the crowd with their high-flying dunks.
North starter Calvin Abueva of Alaska failed to suit up due to flu. He was replaced by Gabe Norwood.
Reigning back-to-back PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer led the South with 25 points. RR Garcia and Carlo Lastimosa added 22 and 21 points, respectively, while Jericho Cruz scored 20 markers.
The North All-Stars led for most parts of the game, even taking a 16-point lead in the first quarter.
But the South All-Stars finally caught up in the final quarter, grabbing the lead, 117-115.
With the score tied at 132-all, the North unleashed an 18-9 run, giving them a 150-141 lead with 2:42 remaining.
The South responded with a 10-2 run to cut North’s lead to just one, 152-151, with still 32 seconds left.
Rosario then scored on a putback to give the North a 154-151 lead. With still 5.7 seconds left, the South had a chance to level the count but Jeff Chan missed a three-point shot, giving the North the victory.
As a consolation, the South All-Stars won the annual All-Star dance showdown.
Blakely out, Wainwright in for Star
The Star Hotshots have decided to replace former Best Import Marqus Blakely with Joel Wainwright, a Jamaican player who played five games in the NBA Summer League.
The decision to replace Blakely came on the heels of Star’s struggles in the Governors’ Cup. The Hotshots are currently at 11th spot with a 1-3 record.
Games Wednesday: Meralco Bolts (2-2) vs. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (2-1); and Barangay Ginebra Kings (3-1) vs. Blackwater Elite (1-2).
