PASSI CITY – Dave Murrell edged out Tyrus Hill to cop the 2023 PBA All-Star Slam Dunk Competition crown, Friday at the City of Passi Arena here.
The Converge guard faced a major threat in the finale when the Blackwater winger scored 50 in his final attempt after leaping over Jamie Malonzo for a one-handed slam, but the accumulated points proved that he did well enough.
Murrell scored 92 points, garnering 46 in each of his two dunks — a 360 two-hander, and then a 360 windmill to close out the contest.
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“I thought I gotta come out better,” said the sophomore out of UP, when asked about Hill’s 50-point jam in the championship round.
Both Murrell and Hill scored 92 points to reach the Final, beating out Brandon Rosser of NLEX (89) and Phoenix forward Chris Lalata (80).
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The competition was supposed to be a five-man field but Malonzo backed out at the last minute, citing a nagging shoulder injury. But the Ginebra forward said that he’ll still be taking part in the All-Star Game on Saturday.
Judges for this year’s dunk competition were league all-time greats Allan Caidic and Noli Locsin, Passi City mayor Stephen Palmares, PBA Press Corps president Gerry Ramos, and veteran sportscaster Andy Jao.
