Rookies/Sophomore guard and MVP Jerom Lastimosa. PBA Images.MANILA — Jerom Lastimosa led the Rookies/Sophomores to a 154-150 win over the Juniors to kick off the PBA All-Star Weekend on Friday night at the Candon City Arena.
Lastimosa sparked a decisive fourth-quarter run to help his team pull away in the high-scoring exhibition. The Magnolia guard finished with a double-double of 27 points and 10 assists and was later named Most Valuable Player of the match.
Among the game’s highlights was his lob pass to Kai Ballungay for an emphatic two-handed slam.
“Sobrang happy ako kasi kahit hindi naman kami teammates, selection lang kami, pero kahit papaano, yung laro namin as team talaga,” said Lastimosa.
Brandon Ramirez also posted a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Ballungay added 20 points and seven boards for the winning side.
Former MVP Arwind Santos chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds as the Rookies/Sophomores steadied themselves in the final period.
Ricci Rivero paced the Juniors with 30 points, while Schonny Winston added 29 and Jordan Tuffin had 23.
Meanwhile, Terrafirma guard Jerrick Ahanmisi stole the spotlight in the skills competitions.
Ahanmisi completed a rare double by winning both the three-point shootout and the obstacle challenge for guards.
He first ruled the obstacle course, finishing in 24.94 seconds to beat Blackwater’s Dalph Panopio, TNT’s Rey Nambatac, Converge’s Juan Gomez de Liano, Titan’s Fran Yu, and San Miguel’s Juami Tiongson.
The Terrafirma guard later returned to capture the three-point crown, firing 30 points in the final round to defeat San Miguel’s Marcio Lassiter and Gomez de Liano.
“I'm so proud of myself because I work hard every single day and I put my best out every day in practice and in the games. So God's just blessed me today,” said Ahanmisi.
Meralco big man Brandon Bates also took home a title after ruling the obstacle challenge for frontcourt players.
Bates completed the course in 22.86 seconds to beat NLEX’s Brandon Ramirez and Magnolia’s James Laput.
“I’m shocked,” said Bates. “Honestly, I thought I was going to be out in the first round. So to get to the last round and then to actually win it, it's cool.”
The Scores:
Rookies/Sophomores 154 — Lastimosa 27, Ramirez 26, Ballungay 20, Panopio 17, Barefield 14, Santos 14, Torres 9, Estil 8, Bravo 8, C. Miller 4, W. Miller 4, Malonzo 3, Lemetti 0.
Juniors 150 — Rivero 30, Winston 29, Tuffin 23, Garcia 15, Caralipio 9, Aurin 8, Cu 7, Bates 7, Pingris 6, Flores 5, Galinato 4, Fajardo 4, Yu 3, De Ocampo 0.
Quarterscores: 32-35, 63-64, 112-105, 154-150.