PASSI CITY – David Murrell admitted that he was surprised to have won the 2023 PBA All-Star Slam Dunk Competition as he believed that Tyrus Hill already had it in the bag following a perfect dunk in the championship round.
The Converge winger said that he was congratulating his Blackwater counterpart when the latter received 50 points from the judges after an explosive one-hander over Ginebra’s Jamie Malonzo for his final dunk.
(C) PBA Images
“Tyrus had some great dunks. I was actually really nervous when he jumped over Jamie,” he said after the contest Friday at the City of Passi Arena here.
“I thought he actually won it. That’s why I was already congratulating him before my dunk. I thought he had it,” Murrell furthered.
The sophomore out of UP scored 46 points in both of his dunks — first a two-handed 360, and then a 360 windmill to close it out.
“But obviously I did a little bit better by one point,” said Murrell. “So I’m just happy and blessed to win.”
Murrell has now etched his name among the PBA’s slam dunk kings and he couldn’t be any more blessed to do so wearing his lucky shoes.
He was wearing a pair of Converse All Star Pro BB with scribbles all over, including names of two of the dearest people in his life.
(C) PBA Images
“Well, my grandma and my dad passed away so they’re both written in these shoes,” Murrell disclosed. “So it’s very special to me.”
