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Monday, May 01, 2006
Yap preserves win for South All Stars
By Jade S. Violeta
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
CEBUANO Roger Yap Jr. stole the thunder from the bigger stars as the Purefoods Chunkee Giants guard carried the South All-Stars to a 122-120 cliffhanger win over the North squad in the 2006 Hope PBA All-Star Weekend’s All Star Game at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro City last Saturday.
The former University of San Jose Recoletos Jaguar, Yap, keyed the South’s titillating victory as his heroics down the stretch enabled the Southerners to avenge their loss last year in Laoag City and earn bragging rights until next year’s edition.
Last five seconds
Yap chanced upon two crucial rebounds inside the last five seconds and foiled the North’s bid to extend the game watched by a highly appreciative crowd.
Yap’s rebound off Willie Miller’s missed drive enabled the South to preserve a hairline 121-120 edge while drawing a desperation foul from Enrico Villanueva in the last four seconds.
With both teams in penalty, Yap made the front end of his free throws to cap a 15-point night and then snared the offensive rebound, hugging the ball tight and letting the remaining seconds tick away.
Asi Taulava emerged as the game’s Most Valuable Player with a game-high 30 points to go with a record 16 rebounds. His Talk ’N Text teammate Jimmy Alapag had nine points to go with eight rebounds and a record 16 assists.
“It was plain luck,” said South coach Jong Uichico, who is now a perfect 2-0 in as many All-Star appearances as head coach.
His Veterans squad beat the Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors combine in 2001.
“They missed their last shots and Roger made the big difference in the end,” he said. “Who would have thought that?”
Uichico’s own San Miguel Beer ward, Danny Ildefonso, led the North with 26 points and 15 rebounds, while Villanueva of Red Bull had 20 points and Air21’s Ren-Ren Ritualo 18 points.
Firepower
However, they could not match the South’s firepower despite the latter missing the services of Eric Menk. The Ginebra forward suited up but opted to rest a sore knee.
The North squad was without the injured Romel Adducul and no-show Mark Caguioa, while Ali Peek was nursing a sore left knee and was not utilized. But they still put up one gallant show despite trailing by as many as 10 points in the third period.
Back-to-back triples by Miller and Ritualo and a free throw by Miller tied the game for the last time at 120-all, which Alapag, who beat Bal David’s record of 13 assists in the 1997 edition, shattered with a charity, still 39 ticks left.
“This is for the fans,” said Uichico. “They all got involved so all players were fired up.”
Taulava, who shattered Jerry Codiñera’s previous All-Stars high of 15 rebounds in 1992, was at his deadliest during the second half, where he scattered 17 of his points while trying to muscle his way past Villanueva, Ildefonso and Kerby Raymundo.
Yap’s drive made it 93-83 for the South team in the last 3:15 of the third period.
The players obliged the fans’ cheers by dishing off fancy passes, spectacular dunks and even some playful bumps and ribbings with their regular teammates and, at least Saturday, foes.
South (122) – Taulava 30, Reavis 17, Hontiveros 16, R. Yap 15, J. Yap 15, Seigle 10, Alapag 9, Hugnatan 4, Baguio 6, Pena 2. North (120) – Ildefonso 26, Villanueva 20, Ritualo 18, Racela 16, Miller 10, Raymundo 9, Arigo 8, Belasco 8, Helterbrand 5. Quarterscores: 33-31; 66-63; 96-94; 122-120. (JSV with PBA Media Bureau)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 1, 2006 issue)
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