FILIPINO dunker David Carlos showed that he still has plenty of gas left in his tank after he won the World Tour Abu Dhabi Masters’ Slam Dunk Competition on Sunday morning at the Kasr Al Amwaj.
After a two-year absence, Carlos returned to the FIBA 3×3 pro circuit with a bang, defeating Ukraine’s Vadim “Miller” Poddubchenko in the final. This is only the third time a Filipino won a World Tour dunk competition with Carlos doing so back in the 2017 Chengdu Masters and Rey Guevarra topping the 2015 Manila Masters.
It was a dramatic and thrilling victory for the 5-foot-8 Filipino dunk king.
“I just wanted to put on a show and to prove to myself that I can still compete with the world’s best,” said an exhausted Carlos.
Already ahead of the 6-foot-6 Miller heading into the third and final dunk, 9.3 to 7.35, Carlos needed just to complete a dunk to win it all.
Carlos though still went for broke as he tried to jump on four people but literally crashed and burned that hurt his back. Instead of throwing down a simple one-hander and not risk getting a zero if he missed, Carlos decided to just pull out the last standee for an over-three-people dunk. It was the adjustment he needed as he converted on his final attempt for a 7.7.
Miller’s no-look scorpion dunk drew a 9.7 and was not enough to overcome Carlos’ early lead.
Carlos’ first dunk was an elevated windmill jam that drew a 9.3. His second attempt was his trademark scorpion that also had a score of 9.3.
Besides the title, Carlos also took home $3,000 or P151, 617. (JNP)