Baser Amer and the Mindanao All-Stars left the much taller SMART All-Stars National Team in the dust during the payoff period en route to a resounding 144-130 victory in the first leg of the PBA All-Star Week in Digos City, Davao Del Sur, Wednesday night.
This was the first time a PBA All-Star team won over a national team in the All-Star Game since 2009, when a combined North and South PBA All-Stars beat Powerade-Team Pilipinas 97-89, according to the league’s chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.
Wednesday’s result was far from what had happened last season, where the Mindanao-Nationals clash ended in a 114-114 result and had two All-Star Game Most Valuable Players in Troy Rosario and Matthew Wright.
Davao-native and budding Meralco Bolts star guard Baser Amer was adjudged as the All-Star Game MVP this time as he led the hometown heroes with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting alongside seven rebounds and seven assists.
It had been a close affair all through out, but that changed in the final frame when the Mindanaoans scored 18 straight points — capped by Jio Jalalon’s lay-up — to turn a slim three-point lead to 21, 124-103, with 8:14 on the clock.
The Mindanao All-Stars then never let up, keeping their foot on their counterpart’s throat to keep them reeling on the ground. The closest SMART got was just 13, 120-133, after Kiefer Ravena’s three-pointer with 4:32 left to play.
Mark Barroca of Zamboanga supplied 20 points, seven assists, and six rebounds for Mindanao. Fellow Magnolia Hotshot PJ Simon chimed in 17 markers in just a single miss, while Carlo Lastimosa provided 16 off the bench.
North Cotabato-native Mac Belo, the Mindanao All-Stars’ starting center, chipped in 13 markers. Jio Jalalon was just a rebound shy of a double-double as he had 12 points and nine assists while also having six caroms.
The Nationals’ loss had wasted the MVP outing of June Mar Fajardo, as he made 34 points and 14 rebounds. Frontcourt partner Japeth Aguilar also made his presence felt with 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting with six rebounds.
Terrence Romeo played as if he’s not hurt as he produced a double-double of 16 points and 10 assists. Jayson Castro and Ravena had 16 and 15 markers, respectively, and the two point guards combined for 11 assists.
The next leg of the All-Star Week will be in Batangas City on Friday, May 25, where the Luzon All-Stars will face the Nationals at the Batangas City Coliseum. The All-Star side events will also be held there.
The Scores:
Mindanao (144) – Amer 22, Barroca 20, Simon 17, Lastimosa 16, Belo 13, Garcia 13, Jalalon 12, Baguio 11, Erram 9, Thoss 5, Thompson 4, Reavis 2.
SMART (130) – Fajardo 34, Aguilar 25, Castro 16, Romeo 16, Ravena 15, Abueva 10, Wright 9, Norwood 3, Maliksi 2.
Quarterscores: 32-28, 65-63, 104-99, 144-130.
