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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – A much smaller line-up comprising the North All-Stars upset a powerhouse South All-Stars, 166-161, in the PBA All-Star Game on Sunday, March 8 at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The South led by as much as 17 points early in the contest before the North rallied in the second half to wrest control.
Without a legitimate center in their lineup, the North team used speed to run and gun in the final frame with Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo leading the charge.
Romeo, who gave the North a 12-point 158-146 lead with a booming triple down the stretch, was named All-Star MVP with his 30 points on 12-of-23 field goal shooting on top of 3 rebounds. Romeo came into the game fired up after winning the Three-point Shootout last Friday.
Abueva, on the other hand, was on fire with 37 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists to lead the North.
Jimmy Alapag, who claimed the night as he played his last PBA All-Star game and retired his jersey at halftime, finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and an All-Star Game record of 17 assists. Alapag previously held the record of 16 in 2006, per PBA Head Statistician Fidel Mangonon III.
Despite having towering 7-foot Greg Slaughter alongside veteran big man Asi Taulava to man the paint, the South could hardly keep up with the speedy North side, who went on a sizzling 18-2 run to open the payoff period to claim a 143-137 advantage.
The South, who held an 88-81 halftime edge – the highest scoring in a PBA All-Star Game opening half according to Mangonon, tried to mount a comeback in the last two minutes but Romeo’s split from the line sealed the deal.
Despite the loss, the South All-Stars had the consolation prize of winning the annual dance-off with a short but sweet theatrical performance, including some dirty dancing from mastermind Joe Devance. – Rappler.com
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