LAS VEGAS - Rudy Distrito, 47, a former Philippine basketball star pleaded not guilty March 21 to a murder charge that could put him in a Nevada prison for life without parole. Lawyers for Distrito, a Filipno citizen, characterized the stabbing death of 24-year-old Juan Amaya as self-defense, while prosecutors called it a deliberate act of revenge after Amaya married Distrito's girlfriend.

He started this fight, Chief Deputy District Attorney Bill Berrett told Clark County District Judge David Wall during Distrito's first appearance in the state court where his felony case will be tried. The defendant chased the victim down a staircase, had him in a chokehold and stabbed him in the back." Distrito, a defensive star during 15 years with Ginebra San Miguel in the Philippine Basketball Association, remained in jail unable to put up bail of $500,000.