Homegrown basketball talent Reynel Hugnatan will be among the PBA stars who will challenge Nino Canaleta’s reign in slam dunk contest when the 2008 Smart PBA All-Star Weekend opens this afternoon at the West Negros University.

Joining Hugnatan and Canaleta in the competition are Arwind Santos of Air21 Express, Ronald Tubid of Brgy. Ginebra Kings, Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia Realtors, and Joey Mente of Welcoat Dragons.

Aside from basketball, the PBA stars will also be doing charity work for Gawad Kalinga and the Bacolod Boys’ Home, will attend the opening of the Panaad Festival, and will join a street party outside the Casino Filipino.

Jeffrey Sy of West Negros University said the players will turn over in Brgy. Banago gallons of paint donated by Welcoat to be used for exterior and interior painting of 10 GK houses.

The event in Bacolod City hopes to raise funds for the PBA Educational Trust Fund, an account opened by the league to help retired players with their educational needs, Sy said.

To heighten excitement at WNU, Vladimir Cebu of the schools’ information office said referees clinic and `Batang PBA’ fun games were held yesterday at the gym.

Negrenses love the PBA and we expect people to troop to the gym this weekend for the All-Star extravaganza, Cebu said.

The fun begins this afternoon at the WNU with obstacle challenge, three-point shootout, slam dunk competition and blitz game.

On the list for the obstacle challenge are Marvin Cruz, Willie Miller, who will also join the three-point shoot-out, Ronald Tubid, Ronjay Buenafe, Mike Cortez, Chico Lanete, Topex Robinson, Ryan Reyes, Jimmy Alapag, and Joey Mente.

Eyeing the three-point king title this year are Nino Canaleta, Junthy Valenzuela, John Arigo, Dondon Hontiveros, James Yap Purefoods, Mike Hrabak, Bitoy Omolon, Renren Ritualo, and Joe Devance.*NAB

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