James Yap Scoreless versus the SMART Allstar lead by Kobe Bryant

Biggest cheers in the arena were reserved for Bryant, the SMART-All Stars’ playing coach. The Lakers’ superstar, who did not play in the fourth quarter when the game had already been decided, was serenaded by chants by the Filipino crowd egging him to put himself back in the game.

Bryant ended with only 12 points, which might as well have been the loudest 12 points in the history of the game. The 32-year-old guard turned back time, throwing down three sensational alley-oop slams as if he were still a hotshot 18-year-old rookie, including a reverse dunk off a Chris Paul pass off the backboard in the second quarter.

On the other hand, The two time PBA MVP James Yap was unable to contribute even a single point in the game. Some sources said that Yap sufferes from a sleeping disorder.

"ang hirap talga matulog after the game"

"4 na oras lang tulog ko"-james yap said in twitter

Despite the beatdown, the PBA players, which included James Yap, Mark Caguioa, Sonny Thoss, Jason Castro, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, Larry Fonacier, Ryan Reyes, Danny Seigle, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Marc Pingris, Gary David, Sol Mercado, LA Tenorio, Gabe Norwood, and JC Intal, were visibly happy sharing the court with their idols.

Bryant himself was impressed by the performance of the locals, who were led by Santos with 25 points.

“I love the passion they play with,” he said. “They play with a lot of energy.”

The SMART All-Stars led by Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul romped to a 131-105 win over a selection of Philippine basketball players on Saturday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. But despite the lopsided scores, everyone in the venue – including the NBA superstars’ victims – went home happy after the game highlighted by thunderous dunks and above-the-rim action.

Bryant and company will take the court once more on Sunday against the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team at 1 p.m., also at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

 

The Scores:

Smart All-Stars 131 - McGee 25, Durant 22, Williams 19, Evans 17, Harden 16, Bryant 12, Paul 11, Rose 9, Fisher 0.

PBA All-Stars 105 - Santos 25, Cabagnot 9, Pingris 9, Al-Hussaini 8, Mercado 8, David 8, Norwood 7, Reyes 6, Thoss 4, Castro 4, Caguioa 4, Seigle 4, Intal 4, Fonacier 3, Tenorio 2, Yap 0.

Quarter scores: 30-26, 66-50, 107-78, 131-105.