KG Canaleta and Dondon Hontiveros will try to defend their respective individual titles in the 2008 SMART-PBA All-Star Weekend before an expected banner crowd at the West Negros College in Bacolod City.

Canaleta, the Air21 forward, is gunning for a piece of history when he goes for a fourth straight Slam Dunk crown while Hontiveros, Magnolia’s reliable clutch scorer, attempts for a back-to-back 3-point shooting championship.

Along with the obstacle course that has Alaska guard Willie Miller for defending champion, the two events are part of the skills challenge featured in the midseason spectacle also supported by Pigrolac, Mighty Bond, Coke and Yakult.

The event is slated on April 24-27.

The Express stalwart scored an unprecedented third straight slam title last year in San Fernando, La Union by outclassing Talk ‘N Text’s Jay Washington in the final.

Not to be outdone, Hontiveros beat Miller in a thrilling shootout.

A former dunk champion and the player many considered as one of the best aerial artists in the league today crowd out Canaleta in his bid for All-Star history.

Welcoat guard Joey Mente, the 2002 slam king, and Sta. Lucia’s Kelly Williams lead the cast of players seeing action in the slam dunk competition. The rest include Alaska’s Reynel Hugnatan, Air21’s Arwind Santos and Barangay Ginebra’s Ronald Tubid, the 3-point shootout king in 2003.

Just as remarkable are the roster for the 3-point shootout that has the likes of James Yap (Purefoods), RenRen Ritualo (Talk ‘N Text), John Arigo (Coca-Cola), rookie Joe Devance (Welcoat), Michael Hrabak (Red Bull), Nelbert Omolon (Sta. Lucia), Junthy Valenzuela (Ginebra) and Miller.

On the other hand, waiting to ambush Miller for the obstacle challenge are Red Bull’s Topex Robinson, Alaska teammate L.A. Tenorio, Mike Cortez of Magnolia, Coca-Cola’s Ronjay Buenafe, Purefoods’ Chico Lanete, Marvin Cruz of Air21, Sta. Lucia’s Ryan Reyes and Tubid.

Meanwhile, the complete line-up for the Blitz Game featuring the Rookies vs Sophomores had also been announced, with De Vance leading the freshmen and JR Reyes showing the way for second year players.

Joining De Vance – the year’s top overall pick – in the Rookie squad are Buenafe, Cruz, Lanete, No.2 pick Samigue Eman (San Miguel), Doug Kramer (Air21), Yousif Aljamal (Talk ‘N Text) and Ken Bono (San Miguel).

Tenorio, JunJun Cabatu (Alaska), Jireh Ibanez (Welcoat), Chris Pacana (Ginebra), Mark Isip (Welcoat), Magnum Membrere (Red Bull) and crowd favorite Mark Andaya (Red Bull) make up Reyes’ supporting cast with the sophomore squad.

Behind the 31-point explosion of Santos last year, the Rookies triumphed over the Sophomores, 122-107, for their breakthrough win in the event first introduced three years ago.

Making the hosting of the annual classic possible in the “City of Smiles” are Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and West Negros College President Suzette Agustin.