Rey Guevarra amazes, wins fourth Slam Dunk title

Rey Guevarra is the talk of the town once again, as the six-foot-three swingman bagged his fourth Slam Dunk Contest championship in the 2018 PBA All-Star Week, Friday evening at the Batangas City Sports Center.

The Phoenix Fuel Masters guard won the title in tight fashion, as he had to go through a tiebreaker match with Blackwater Elite’s high-flying rookie Renz Palma, as they both finished with 75 points in the two-round Finals.

Guevarra’s winning piece was a front windmill dunk off a pass to himself, which gave him a perfect 40 from the judges — more than enough to edge Palma’s one-handed, 180-degree reverse that gave him 39 points.

“Para sa akin pinakamahirap yung anticipated na nila kung paano ako dumunk. Kung pareho gagawin ko parang ‘di na maganda panoorin. Napilitan ako magisip ng bago,” said the 31-year-old Guevarra.

“Sobrang nalabas yung dunk ko dahil sa kanya. Kailangan talagang itaas yung bar para malampasan ko siya eh,” added Guevarra, who was the slam dunk king from 2014-16.

Guevarra dethroned defending Slam Dunk king Chris Newsome, who even used props such as bamboo sticks for one routine, which saw him perform basic Tinikling steps before finishing it off with a leaning one-hander.

Others whom Guevarra bested were GlobalPort Batang Pier rookie Lervin Flores; Alaska Aces’ 6-foot-7 slotman Marion Magat; and the versatile 6-foot-6 forward Matt Ganuelas-Rosser of the San Miguel Beermen.