MANILA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters guard James Yap goes for back-to-back crown as he battles tough oppositions in the Three-Point Shootout title event of the 2019 PBA All-Star week today at Calasiao Sports Complex in Calasiao, Pangasinan.
The Escalante City, Negros Occidental native Yap will have practically new opposition in his title defense in rookie Robert Bolick of NorthPort Batang Pier and former teammate Peter Jun Simon of Magnolia Hotshots.
“Everyday sa practice may extra shooting. Sana madala dito sa three-point shootout,” said Yap, who Yap reclaimed the Three-Point shootout citation last year for the first time since 2009.
Also in the roster were Simon Enciso (Alaska Aces), Philip Paniamogan (NLEX Road Warriors), Michael Digregorio (Blackwater Elite), Reden Celda (Columbian Dyip), Baser Amer (Meralco Bolts), Roger Pogoy (TnT Katropa), LA Tenorio (Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings), Marcio Lassiter (San Miguel Beermen), and Matthew Wright (Phoenix Fuel Masters).
Meanwhile, Bacolodnons Siverino Baclao of the Aces and Justin Chua of the Fuel Masters as well as Pontevedra-native Raymar Jose of the Elite are set to compete in Obstacle Challenge.
Baclao, Chua and Jose will be trying to steal the big man’s version of Obstacle Challenge championship from last year’s titleholder Beau Belga of the Painters.
Also eyeing Belga’s title were Beermen’s June Mar Fajardo, Yousef Taha (Katropa), Moala Tautuaa (Batang Pier), Prince Caperal (Kings), Brian Faundo (Bolts), Russel Escoto (Dyip), and Rafael Reavis (Hotshots).
Fuel Masters’ Rey Guevarra, meanwhile, will also gun for a piece of history as he tries to win a fifth Slam Dunk crown and tie the current record own by Bolts forward Rommel Canaleta.
Four other players stand in the path of the high-flying Phoenix forward including Emil Renz Palma of the Elite, Bolts’ Chris Newsome, Batang Pier’s Lervin Flores and Dyip’s Jaymar Perez./PN
