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Thu 28 March 2024

NCAA All-Star Game: West escapes East in monumental comeback

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Hotshot Jonathan Grey and Letranite spitfire Mark Cruz spewed eight points within the last thirty seconds of the game as the West All-Stars escaped the East All-Stars, 88-87, in the second NCAA All-Star Game Saturday at the San Juan Arena.

With the East seeming to coast along to what would have been its second straight All-Star win with a seven-point lead, 87-80, Grey surprisingly fired back-to-back triples to make it a one-point affair in the last fourteen seconds.
The East gave up two fouls against the West in the hopes to regain possession, but a well-designed inbound trap by head coach Aldin Ayo resulted in a steal by Cruz with just four seconds left.

Cruz then attempted a half court heave but was hacked by the East’s Jamil Ortuoste right at the buzzer, as the former was awarded three free throws.

The newly-crowned Three-point Shootout king cooly sank two of three free throws as the Ayo, Letran’s enigmatic rookie coach, remained unbeaten in Season 91.

“I was tempted to pull-out Grey because our defensive plan is not followed. But the kid is playing great,” Ayo said.
The graduating Grey finished with 20 points and bagged All-Star Most Valuable Player plum while Cruz added ten points.

Teytey Teodoro, the sophomore sensation from Jose Rizal University, led the East with 17 markers, all scored in the second half.

In the side event, Lycean power forward Jebb Bulawan bagged the Slam Dunk contest with splendid back-to-back obstacle dunks in the final round against fancied Benildean reserve Yankee Haruna.

Bulawan first jumped over a sitting Joseph Gabayni, Lyceum’s 6’5” behemoth, and flushed the dunk on his first attempt for 29 points.

Haruna responded with a dunk over a standing Ryan Ongteco, the 6’6” all-star center of Saint Benilde. He likewise scored 29 points.

Bulawan went for the jugular in his penultimate dunk as he jumped over a bowing Gabayni and Shaquille Alanes on his first attempt.

Haruna flunked in his final dunk as he tried but failed thrice to flush in a between-the-legs alley-hoop dunk.
In the Three-Point Shootout, the pro-bound Cruz dethroned defending champion Travis Jonson of Saint Benilde, topping the elimination round with 26 points. Lyceum’s Wilson Baltazar scored 22 points but Jonson’s 21 points was not enough to advance to the final round.

Cruz then scored 18 points in the final round to handily beat Baltazar, who scored a paltry nine points.



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