Heated PBA playoffs take breather with 2013 All-Star week

MANILA, Philippines – The main bulk of a 150-strong PBA delegation flies to Davao tomorrow as the Cebuana Lhuillier PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs take a break to give way to the staging of the 2013 PBA All-Star Week in Digos, Davao del Sur May 1-6.

Stars of Alaska Milk, Barangay Ginebra, San Mig Coffee and Talk n Text take a breather from their Final Four showdowns, leading the cream of PBA players performing in the annual midseason spectacle.

The PBA All-Star Week Extravaganza returns to Mindanao for the first time in four years, offering a special treat of putting in display for the first time Gilas Pilipinas II.

The 24th edition of the PBA All-Star Game, the main event of the All-Star Week festivities, departs from the traditional North-versus-South and RSJs-Veterans formats to help the Nationals in their preparation for the coming FIBA Asia Championship.

“This year has been very special. We'll be hosting the FIBA-Asia and, in this All-Stars, the highlight will be the unveiling of our Gilas national team, and I find that very appropriate considering that Digos has always been a regular host of PBA out-of-town games,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud.

Alaska coach Luigi Trillo temporarily shelves his Commissioner’s Cup aspiration as he calls the shots for the PBA All Stars that challenge Gilas Pilipinas in the Sunday main event.

James Yap, Mark Caguioa, Calvin Abueva, Arwind Santos, Chris Ellis, Nino Canaleta, Alex Cabagnot, Jay Washington, Cyrus Baguio, Jayvee Casio, Marcio Lassiter and Beau Belga make up Trillo’s team going up against national hopefuls Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo, Larry Fonacier, Ryan Reyes, Gary David, Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio, Marc Pingris, Junmar Fajardo, Sonny Thoss, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, Greg Slaughter and Marcus Douthit.

A host of other PBA stars perform in the Digos All-Star event, including Mark Macapagal and Jonas Villanueva who seek to stretch their reigns in skills events slated Friday.

Macapagal topped the three-point shootout for a third straight year and Villanueva scored his own three-peat in the Obstacle Challenge in Laoag City last year.

Undefeated in Slam Dunk five times, Canaleta is no longer joining the contest and, instead, concentrates in the three-point shootout. The 6-foot-4 forward topped the elimination round before settling for runner-up honors behind Macapagal last year.

Meanwhile, former MVP awardee Benjie Paras and fellow former PBA stars Jerry Codinera, Noli Locsin, Vince Hizon and Bong Hawkins are among those playing in the Legends Game.

The second edition of the Legends Game will feature Paras, Dickie Bachmann, Bong Ravena and Topex Robinson with Ronald Tubid, Chris Tiu, JC Intal, Willie Miller, Mark Macapagal and Jervy Cruz in Team Stalwarts facing Team Greats’ Hawkins, Codinera, Hizon, Locsin, Johnedel Cardel, Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Mike Cortez, Cliff Hodge, PJ Simon and Joe Devance.

“Aside from the usual outreach programs and usual events and basketball games, we will have basketball clinics, referees clinics,” said Salud.

“It is a celebration of the most talented among the very best. So if you are a player, it should be an honor to be chosen as part of the All-Stars along with the skills events. It works both ways. It is a celebration of the best of the best and a way of thanking our fans at the same time,” Salud also said.

Yap and Jimmy Alapag see action in their 10th All-Star Game, joining Dindo Pumaren and Vergel Meneses in a small group of 10-time All-Star participants.

Only Alvin Patrimonio (12), Asi Taulava (12), Codinera (11) and Dondon Hontiveros (11) have got more All-Star appearances.

Last year in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Yap broke Samboy Lim’s 21-year All-Star record of 42 points, making 44 to lead the Veterans to a 176-144 win over the Rookies/Sophomores/Juniors squad. Yap subsequently went home with the All-Star Game MVP trophy.