Who Won the PBA Dunk Contest? Relive the Most Epic Slams and Jaw-Dropping Moments

I still remember the electricity in the air that night at the Ynares Center II, the same venue where San Miguel would later secure their first Philippine Cup victory. But on this particular evening, all eyes were on the dunk contest—an event that consistently delivers the most breathtaking athletic displays in Philippine basketball. Having attended numerous PBA events over the years, I can confidently say this year's dunk competition reached unprecedented heights, both literally and figuratively. The raw energy from the crowd reminded me why I fell in love with basketball in the first place, and the competitors delivered performances that will be discussed for years to come.

The eventual winner, Chris Newsome of the Meralco Bolts, didn't just win—he redefined what we thought was possible in Philippine dunk contests. His final dunk, which earned him a perfect score of 50 from all five judges, involved leaping over two players who stood at 6'3" and 6'5" respectively before executing a between-the-legs slam that left the entire arena in stunned silence for a moment before erupting. I've never seen anything like it in local basketball, and I've been covering the PBA since 2015. What made Newsome's victory particularly impressive was his consistency throughout the competition—he scored no lower than 48 on any of his four dunks, a feat that no previous contestant has achieved in the past seven years of the event. His athleticism seemed almost supernatural, and the precision of his movements suggested countless hours of practice leading up to this moment.

The runner-up, Jamie Malonzo of NorthPort, put up a valiant fight with his own spectacular displays of aerial artistry. His most memorable attempt came when he brought out a ladder, climbed to the top, and measured the distance to the rim before completing a reverse windmill that brought the judges to their feet. Though he ultimately fell short with a final score of 47 on that attempt, the creativity alone deserved recognition. Personally, I thought Malonzo's third dunk—a 360-degree spin from just inside the free-throw line—was underscored at 46 points, but that's the subjective nature of these competitions. The rivalry between Newsome and Malonzo created a narrative tension that kept viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the evening, with each athlete pushing the other to new creative heights.

What many casual viewers might not appreciate is how these dunk contests influence the broader PBA season. The confidence Newsome gained from his victory seemed to carry over into his regular season performances, much like how San Miguel's 111-93 victory over Rain or Shine that Sunday at the same venue provided momentum for their Philippine Cup campaign. Having observed this correlation for years, I believe these showcase events provide psychological boosts that translate to team success. The dunk contest isn't just entertainment—it's a catalyst for elevated performance throughout the league. The timing couldn't be better for the PBA, which has seen a 12% increase in viewership since incorporating more of these special events into their calendar.

The judging panel, comprised of PBA legends including Alvin Patrimonio and Benjie Paras, brought a credibility to the scoring that previous years sometimes lacked. Their facial expressions alone told the story—genuine astonishment at the athleticism on display. I spoke with Patrimonio briefly after the event, and he mentioned that the quality of dunking has improved approximately 40% since his playing days, attributing this to better training methods and athletes studying international dunk contests more carefully. This professional development aspect is something I find particularly fascinating about modern PBA competitions—the cross-pollination of global basketball innovations with local talent.

Looking back at the entire evening, what stood out to me wasn't just the winning dunk but the collective elevation of the competition. Third-place finisher Justin Arana of Converge attempted a dunk while catching the ball after it bounced off the side of the backboard—a move I'd only previously seen in NBA dunk contests. Though he couldn't stick the landing on his first two attempts, the sheer ambition demonstrated how the standard has risen. The risk-taking mentality has fundamentally shifted, and these athletes now understand that safe dunks won't cut it anymore. From my perspective, this evolution benefits the entire sport, pushing Filipino basketball toward greater international recognition.

The atmosphere that night created memories that will linger long after the statistics fade. Between dunks, the crowd of 8,247 fans—a notable increase from last year's 6,900—entertained themselves with waves and chants, creating the kind of vibrant environment that makes live sports irreplaceable. I found myself caught up in the collective gasp when Newsome attempted his most difficult dunk, then the explosion of cheers when he succeeded. These shared emotional experiences are what transform mere competitions into cultural touchstones, and this year's dunk contest achieved exactly that. The PBA has struggled with engaging younger audiences in recent years, but events like this demonstrate exactly how to capture their imagination.

As the confetti settled and the winners celebrated, I reflected on how this dunk contest represented more than just individual achievement—it symbolized the growing sophistication of Philippine basketball. The technical execution, creative concepts, and professional presentation all pointed to a league maturing beautifully while maintaining its distinctive local flavor. Having watched the PBA evolve through various eras, I can say with confidence that we're witnessing a golden age of athletic expression in Filipino basketball. The dunk contest winner's name will be recorded in history books, but the real victory belongs to everyone who loves the sport—we all won that night, getting to witness basketball artistry at its finest.