Jared Dillinger led Powerade-Team Pilipinas in swatting the late-game rally of the South All-Stars to win, 103-99, the second game of the Motolite PBA All-Star Week in Panabo, Davao del Norte on Friday.

Dillinger scored most of his 12 points in the last quarter as the RP squad suppressed the South’s final surge, which was sparked by 2008 All-Star MVP June Peter Simon and Ronald Tubid. Dillinger also registered three assists and three blocks against the South All Stars reinforced by imports Rosell Ellis and Jeff Varem.

Banking on Cyrus Baguio’s efforts, the Nationals quickly went to work during the first quarter when they scored 28 points against the South’s 21.

Simon teamed up with Dondon Hontiveros to close the gap for the South All-Stars, cutting the lead down to two points by the end of the first half, 51-49.

Former PBA-MVP James Yap and Kerby Raymundo kept the Nationals ahead by building a comfortable 22-point lead versus the South in the third, 84-62.

The South, however, refused to back down as they threatened to overtake the RP squad midway in the final canto.

Dillinger, who was relatively silent during the first three quarters, came to the Nationals rescue as he sustained their lead until the end of the regulation. He was named as the second All-Star Week game’s MVP.

All-Star action will resume on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City where the combined North and South teams will again prepare Team Pilipinas for a series of tournaments abroad.

This year’s All-Star matches are part of Team Pilipinas’ preparations for the FIBA-Asia world qualifier in China in August.