April 26, 2017

PBA Mindanao All-Stars, Gilas Pilipinas battle to a 114 deadlock

CAGAYAN DE ORO -- In one of the most exciting and well-fought PBA All-Star Games ever, the PBA Mindanao All Stars and Gilas Pilipinas failed to resolve what was there to resolve in a 48-minute showdown.

The PBA team rallied from a 12-point deficit in the third quarter and banked on a big trey by Mark Barroca in the last 49 seconds in fighting Gilas Pilipinas to a 114-114 deadlock in the 2017 PBA All-Star Game at the Xavier University Gym here Wednesday night.

The PBA Mindanao selection could have even stolen the game in the end but Scottie Thompson failed to convert a drive off June Mar Fajardo.

Troy Rosario, himself a Gilas aspirant playing for PBA Mindanao, led all scorers with 28 points while rookie All-Star player Matthew Wright top scored for Gilas with 22 markers including 4-of-5 three-pointers as they shared the Cloudfone All-Star MVP honors.

Barroca, PJ Simon and Baser Amer were the others who ran a show for the Mindanaoans while Fajardo, Terrence Romeo, RR Pogoy, Carl Bryan Cruz, LA Revilla and Mike Tolomia were the other national hopefuls who delivered significant numbers for coach Chot Reyes.

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It was a night to remember where Gilas also came out well prepared in the pre-game dance off and upstaged the PBA team for the P100,000 cash prize.

Meanwhile, hometown player Glenn Khobuntin led his team to victory in the Shootings Stars event, beating the team of Cyrus Baguio and the quartet led by Jio Jalalon and Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno Jr.

Rosario scattered 18 points as the PBA team led, 59-55, at the half.