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Newsome named new dunk champ after subduing Forrester in close final

PBA

By Ivan Saldajeno

LUCENA—Chris Newsome avenged his loss at last year's PBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest and took home the 2017 edition at the Quezon Convention Center on Friday night.

The high-flying Meralco guard defeated GlobalPort's own high-flyer James Forrester in a close final round that was decided in their final dunks.

Forrester appeared to be heading to the crown after scoring a 50 in his first final round slam, a dunk over Stanley Pringle.

But Forrester struggled in his final dunk, only getting a 36 from the judges.

Newsome, who scored 43 in his first dunk, got a 44 in his final shot, which was enough to edge Forrester.

Erstwhile champ Rey Guevarra was knocked out in the first round.

"I tried to be more strategic this year. I started out with two simple dunks, and somehow I got through the second round. From that point, I just came up with something original," said Newsome.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno