By REYNALD MAGALLON
BACOLOD CITY – Justin Arana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser threw their weights around the paint to power Team Greats over Team Stalwarts, 142-133, in the 2024 PBA All-Star RSJ Game at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum on Saturday, March 23 here.
The twin towers were simply unstoppable inside the paint with Arana pouring 36 points and Ganuelas-Rosser adding 23 points as the Greats completed a repeat over the Stalwarts after also winning the last edition in Passi City.
Arana added eight rebounds, a steal and a block in a breakout performance that awarded him the RSJ Most Valuable Player plum.
Thirsty of a win especially with his FiberXers struggling mightily in the ongoing 2024 PBA Philippine Cup with a 0-5 record, Arana ensured that this time he is coming out with a win after dropping 10 of his total in the final frame.
That fueled an 11-6 spurt and gave the Greats the first double-digit lead of the contest, 136-124 – an advantage that proved to be enough to help the team weather a pair of booming four pointers from Stalwarts.
The Stalwarts closed the gap within four but that was the closest the team could get as Ganuelas-Rosser punctuated the win with a three-point dunk.
Jerrick Ahanmisi also had his share of the spotlight with 21 points.
Kim Aurin paced the Stalwarts with 23 points while JM Calma added 22. Joshua Munzon had 16 while Christian David chipped in 15.
