By ADRIAN STEWART CO

TNT Tropang Giga forward Calvin Oftana dethroned Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots’ Paul Lee in the 2024 PBA All-Star Weekend Three-Point Shootout (Guard Edition) at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City on Saturday, March 23.

The Dumaguete City-native Oftana knocked down a total of 25 points in the championship round, beating Lee, who finished with 20 points, and Meralco Bolts guard Chris Newsome, who ended with 15.

The Tropang Giga gunner initially scored 22 points in the first round, joining Lee, who scored 26 points, and Newsome, who hit 28, in the Top 3 that advanced to the finals round.

Also part of the Three-Point Shootout among guards and wings were Negrense James Yap, Maverick Ahanmisi, Alec Stockton, Robbie Herndon, Arvin Tolentino, Andrei Caracut, Marcio Lassiter, and Javi Gomez de Liaño.

Meanwhile, Bolts center Raymond Almazan became the inaugural champion of the Big Men Three-Point Shootout competition after tallying 19 points to beat NLEX’s Dave Marcelo (16), Blackwater’s Christian David (16) and Terrafirma’s Isaac Go (13).

Aklanon Keith Zaldivar, Ralph Cu, Jason Perkins, June Mar Fajardo, Brandon Rosser, Leonard Santillan, James Laput, and John Michael Calma also participated in the Big Men Challenge, which replaced the annual slam dunk competition.

On the other hand, NorthPort Batang Pier’s Calma emerged victorious in the Obstacle Challenge after completing the final round in 26 seconds, surpassing Magnolia’s Laput (30 seconds) and Rain or Shine’s Santillan (29 seconds).

Meanwhile, defending champion Marcelo failed to advance to the final round after being eliminated by Ginebra’s Cu in the initial round.

For his part, Justin Arana of the Converge FiberXers bagged the Blitz Game Most Valuable Player award after finishing with 36 points in Team Greats’ 142-133 domination over Team Stalwarts./ASC, WDJ