Magnolia veteran PJ Simon is now the league’s new Three-Point Shootout king after snatching the title in a close final during the 2019 PBA All-Star Weekend on Friday at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan.
Simon scored 17 points to edge NLEX guard Philip Paniamogan and NorthPort rookie Robert Bolick, who missed the final money ball that would have given him the championship in the side event.
The 38-year-old guard succeeded James Yap, who failed to find his rhythm as he sough to defend his crown. He only scored 12 points.
Simon was able to crash the finals after putting up 20 points in the eliminations, tied for best in that round with Paniamogan.
Other expected favorites failed to hit their stride in the shootout. Phoenix’s Matthew Wright, Blackwater’s Mike DiGregorio and Columbian’s Rashawn McCarthy all finished with 15 points, Meralco’s Baser Amer had 14 while TNT’s Roger Pogoy and Ginebra’s Kevin Ferrer scored 11 apiece.
San Miguel marksman Marcio Lassiter tallied a measly seven-point output.
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