North beats South, 185-170

By Adrian Stewart Co

Japeth Aguilar and Arwind Santos went on dunking sprees as the North All-Stars cruised to a 185-170 win over the South All-Stars during this year’s PBA All-Stars Weekend at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel ignited the North in the opening quarter and converted seven throw downs to immediately pull away 51-25.

In the second quarter, San Miguel Beermen stalwart Santos took over for the North and came up with dunks and inside hits to keep the South at bay at 89-75 at the half.

The South, however, mounted a huge run in the third period and got as close as 92-90 before the North pulled away anew with Aguilar converting dunks, including one where he jumped over the South’s June Mar Fajardo, putting his side ahead 137-122.

The South made its last push in the fourth quarter but Aguilar and Santos kept their team’s distance as the North increased their lead to 20.

Santos and Aguilar were named co-MVPs with the former finishing with 34 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists; and the latter submitting 32 points and eight rebounds./ASC, WDJ