Cañaleta Targets Fifth Dunk Title

by **Ginebra Tambayan** Thu May 10, 2012 10:04 am

Cañaleta Targets Fifth Dunk Title
By WAYLON GALVEZ
May 9, 2012, 6:18pm

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra forward Nino “KG” Cañaleta goes for an unprecedented fifth title in the Slam Dunk competitions of the Skills Event in the PBA All-Star Festivities this week in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

The 6-foot-4 Cañaleta, who captured the title three straight years from his rookie season in 2005 until 2007, is among the early favorites to win the event.

After shunning the event in 2008, and failed to make the finals in 2009, Cañaleta regained the crown two years ago when the All-Star festivities were held in Palawan.

Cañaleta did not defend his championship a year ago after he begged off due to a shoulder injury, but said he’s ready and excited to compete again against the best high-flyers in the league.

“I’m excited, although a bit nervous, because there are others who are also capable, especially the young players. But I’m coming in well-prepared for this one,” said Cañaleta, who will also compete in the Three-Point Shootout contest and will play in the Legends game.

Talk ’N Text’s Kelly Williams will try to defend the Slam Dunk crown, which he also won in 2008 in Bacolod City. Williams edged Rey Guevara in last year’s Slam Dunk finals.

Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood, the All-Star MVP in 2010 in Palawan and the event’s champion in 2009, is eager to win back the title.

Also seeing action in the Slam Dunk are B-Meg’s Marc Pingris, the All-Star MVP last year in Boracay, teammate JC Intal, and young high-flyers such as TNT’s Japeth Aguilar, Ginebra’s Rico Maierhofer, and Air21’s Elmer Espiritu.

The Slam Dunk and the Shooting Stars are set before the ‘main event’ All-Star Game on Sunday, while the other competitions, the Obstacle Challenge and Three-Point Shootout, will be held as side-events for Team Greats versus Team Stalwarts tomorrow.

In the Three-Point Shootout, Mark Macapagal will try to extend his dominance after winning the title back 2010 in Palawan and last year in Boracay, although he will be challenged by former champions like James Yap of B-Meg and Ren-Ren Ritualo of Air21.

The 6-foot-2 Yap, a former two-time season MVP who was recently named the PBA Press Corps Excelroof Finals MVP after helping the Llalamdos win the PBA Commissioner’s Cup against TNT, won the contest in 2009 in Manila.

Source: Manila Bulletin