BACOLOD CITY. -- After finishing second in the Three-Point Shootout thrice from 2003 to 2005, fourth in 2006 and a disappointing eighth last year, Talk 'N Text three-point artist Ren-Ren Ritualo finally earned the distinction of being the league's best long distance shooter Friday night in the 2008 Smart PBA All-Star Week Skills Competitions at the West Negros University Gym here.

In one of the closest battles in the history of the event, Ritualo fired 19 points in the Finals to narrowly edge defending champion Dondon Hontiveros of Magnolia, who tallied 18, and Coca-Cola's John Arigo who registered 17.
"Sabi nga nila, 'Try and try until you succeed,' saka 'Never give up. Mabuti naman nanalo na rin sa wakas,'" said a beaming Ritualo, who won a beautifully crafted plaque and P20,000.

"Nakatulong din na nauna ako dun sa 19 na yun sa Finals kaya naging kampante na ako," added Ritualo who shot first in the Finals after coming up with the third-best score of 17 in the eliminations.

In the Finals, Ritualo came up with his 19 by sinking seven of his first 10 balls in the first two racks and converting four of the five twp-point balls.

Hontiveros, who won last year's even with a score of 16 in the Finals beating Alaska's Willie Miller and Air21's Gary David, had his Waterloo in the second and third racks, converting only three of the 10 balls en route to that 18. He also had 18 in the elims.

Arigo, who has yet to see action for the Tigers in the ongoing Smart Fiesta Conference, did the same in the elimination round, by shooting first and coming up with a 20 to put pressure on the rest of the participants.

But in the Finals where he shot last among the finalists, Arigo started slow, missing four of his first five shots before sinking eight of his next nine to get back in the thick of things. But it didn't help that Arigo missed on the last two 2-point balls, any one of which would have forced a 30-second playoff shootout with Ritualo. (FM)

2008 PBA ALL STAR 3PT SHOOTOUT ROUND 1

BACOLOD CITY. -- After finishing second in the Three-Point Shootout thrice from 2003 to 2005, fourth in 2006 and a disappointing eighth last year, Talk 'N Text three-point artist Ren-Ren Ritualo finally earned the distinction of being the league's best long distance shooter Friday night in the 2008 Smart PBA All-Star Week Skills Competitions at the West Negros University Gym here.

In one of the closest battles in the history of the event, Ritualo fired 19 points in the Finals to narrowly edge defending champion Dondon Hontiveros of Magnolia, who tallied 18, and Coca-Cola's John Arigo who registered 17.
"Sabi nga nila, 'Try and try until you succeed,' saka 'Never give up. Mabuti naman nanalo na rin sa wakas,'" said a beaming Ritualo, who won a beautifully crafted plaque and P20,000.

"Nakatulong din na nauna ako dun sa 19 na yun sa Finals kaya naging kampante na ako," added Ritualo who shot first in the Finals after coming up with the third-best score of 17 in the eliminations.

In the Finals, Ritualo came up with his 19 by sinking seven of his first 10 balls in the first two racks and converting four of the five twp-point balls.

Hontiveros, who won last year's even with a score of 16 in the Finals beating Alaska's Willie Miller and Air21's Gary David, had his Waterloo in the second and third racks, converting only three of the 10 balls en route to that 18. He also had 18 in the elims.

Arigo, who has yet to see action for the Tigers in the ongoing Smart Fiesta Conference, did the same in the elimination round, by shooting first and coming up with a 20 to put pressure on the rest of the participants.

But in the Finals where he shot last among the finalists, Arigo started slow, missing four of his first five shots before sinking eight of his next nine to get back in the thick of things. But it didn't help that Arigo missed on the last two 2-point balls, any one of which would have forced a 30-second playoff shootout with Ritualo. (FM)

Rounds 1 2 3 & finals

BACOLOD CITY. -- With three-time defending champion KG Canaleta of Air21 pulling out as a result of a knee injury in the last minute, Sta. Lucia's high-flying forward Kelly Wiliams, as expected, ruled the Slam Dunk Contest in the Skills Competitions of the 2008 PBA Smart All-Star Week at the West Negros University Gym here.

Williams, who barely made it to the three-man Finals, scored 98 points on his two dunks in the Finals to beat by a mile Barangay Ginebra's Ronald Tubid who totalled 88 and Air21's Arwind Santos, who tallied 86, in their respective last pairs of dunks.
"I would like to say this isn't complete with KG not there but I'll take it and just look forward to defending my title next year against him, " said Williams who also won a beautifully crafted trophy, P20,000 and another trophy and winner's jacket from event sponsor Pigrolac.

The right-handed Williams had a windmill slam using his left in his dunk which scored 48 among the judges headed by City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and PBA Press Corps President Nelson Beltran of the Philippine Star, then netted a perfect 50 in his between-the-legs left-handed dunk in this second try.

"I was kinda worried when I missed on my first few dunks in the eliminations but once I got heated up, there's was not stopping my rhythym," also noted Williams, who added a few tips from Sta. Lucia rookie teammate Ryan Reyes also helped.

"I was cramming out there. I really didn't prepare any repertoire of dunks but thanks to Ryan's ideas, we came out with some stuff out there," said Williams, whose mother is from Cebu City.

Williams, who only had 25 points on his first dunk which he missed, only totalled 124 on his three dunks in the elimination round which was topped by the 126 of Tubid and which was followed by the 125 of Santos.

A disappointment was 2001 slam dunk king Joey Mente of Welcoat who could only come up with 117 in the elims.

Despite missing the event, Canaleta still gave in to the crowd after Williams was awarded his trophy and did some windmill slams despite a hurting left knee. (FM)