Gastador, Suerte back to show off skills in slam dunk contest

THE UNIVERSITY of San Jose-Recoletos’ (USJ-R) Miguel Gastador and the University of the Visayas’ (UV) Rey Suerte will try to one-up another in a showdown of aerial artistry as they compete in the Slam Dunk Competition of the All Star Sunday in the 16th Cesafi basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.

The two high-leapers were set to dazzle the crowd in the very same contest last year but were grounded, no thanks to a puzzling format that gave each participant one attempt each to perform their dunk. Both Gastador and Suerte tried to pull off difficult maneuvers but failed and got eliminated from the first round.

That competition was eventually won by then-Green Lancer Leonard Santillan.

Now, the two are back and will try to put on an unforgettable show, much like the one they had in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur which Gastador eventually won.

The two players will be joined in the slam dunk contest by JR Puerto of the University of Cebu (UC) and Rodelio Cauba of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF). Game time is at 3:45 p.m.

The league’s three-point snipers will also be pitted against one another in the Three-Point Shootout. Southwestern University (SWU) will have two-time MVP Macmac Tallo and Shaquille Imperial while the USJ-R will be represented by Jaybie Mantilla and RJ Dinolan. Ian Tagapan, Kevin Oleodo and Victor Rabat will try their luck for the University of San Carlos (USC) while UV will have Josue Segumpan, Tristan Albina and Jerome Napao.

Roy Quiachon and Wisdom Ceniza will shoot for USPF even if Puerto and Justine Dacalos will try to take advantage of their home court as they represent UC. Steven Bucao and Marlo Pono of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University round out the cast of participants.

In related news, the East All Stars of the men’s All Star Game has finally found a coach as SWU’s lead assistant Mike Reyes will handle the reins after head coach Yayoy Alcoseba begged off due to a prior engagement.