Bacolod to host PBA All-Star extravaganza

BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Evelio (Bing) Leonardia confirmed the other day that the PBA All-Star extravaganza will be held at the 3,800-seat West Negros College gym here on April 24-27.

The red carpet is expected to be rolled out for the PBA road show and hometowners are excitedly gearing to welcome back local heroes James Yap, Reynel Hugnatan, John Ferriols and Sta. Lucia Realty coach Boyet Fernandez.

“When the Negros Slashers played in Bacolod during the MBA years, the stadium was always filled to capacity,” said Leonardia. “We’re basketball-crazy in Bacolod and we’re looking forward to the PBA stars coming to town.”

Under PBA rules, the winning Philippine Cup coach will call the shots for the host South team and the loser, the North in the All-Star Game. Fernandez, a Valladolid native who took up nursing at the Colegio de San Agustin-Bacolod, and Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio are assured of facing off in the annual classic but it’s still unclear which squads they’ll pilot.

Fan voting for the North and South starters started last Feb. 1 with ballots available for casting during gamedays and votes taken on the PBA website.

In the North, the leading vote-getters so far for the three frontline slots are Kerby Raymundo, Marc Pingris, Lordy Tugade, Danny Ildefonso and Arwind Santos and for the two guards, Mark Caguioa, Jay-Jay Helterbrand, Willie Miller, L. A. Tenorio and Ren-Ren Ritualo.

In the South, the leading vote-getters so far for the frontline slots are Danny Seigle, Kelly Williams, Asi Taulava, Eric Menk and Sunday Salvacion and for the guards, James Yap, Jimmy Alapag, Dondon Hontiveros, Cyrus Baguio and Ronald Tubid.

The All-Star Game is the climax of the weekend event which will also feature the Rookies versus Sophomores Blitz, the Slam Dunk competition where Niño Canaleta is the three-time defending champion, the obstacle challenge, the trick shot contest, the three-point shootout and the Legends shootout.

City Councilor Dindo Ramos is coordinating the activity with PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial. Leonardia said no stone will be left unturned in making sure the city is prepared to host the event with a flourish.

Leonardia, 55, is on his second consecutive term as city mayor. A lawyer, the Las Salle Bacolod cum laude graduate broke into politics as the city’s No. 1 councilor in 1988, served as vice mayor and became the city’s youngest-ever mayor at 41 in 1995.

In sports, Leonardia burst into the limelight when Manny Pacquiao personally invited him to carry his championship belt into the ring for his fight against Oscar Larios, the rubber match against Erik Morales and the rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera.

Pacquiao has once more asked Leonardia to carry his belt at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort before he takes on Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15.

“I never expected this honor,” said Leonardia. “In fact, when Manny first invited me to carry his belt, I didn’t know what he meant. We became good friends after he was made an adopted son of Bacolod City. He invited me to watch his rematch with Morales as a guest. I wasn’t at ringside when he lost to Morales in their first fight so after he won the rematch, he probably thought I brought him some good luck.”

Leonardia said he could never turn down Pacquiao.

“I have a lot of respect for Manny and I know what he goes through in preparing for a fight,” he continued. “He fights for our country, for all of us. It’s an honor to be asked by Manny to carry his belt. Some of my political opponents criticize me for joining his entourage in entering the ring but I never asked for it. If I can bring even a small amount of luck for Manny, I will do what it takes because his fight is a fight for our country.”

Leonardia said when Pacquiao was in a car on his way to the airport to leave for Los Angeles last month, they spoke on the phone.

“Manny told me he’d like me to carry the belt again for the Marquez fight,” said Leonardia. “I hope I’m his lucky charm. I wasn’t around for the (Jorge) Solis fight and Buboy (Fernandez) told me that’s why he took a little more time to knock him out. I know Buboy’s only joking but if there’s anything I can do for Manny, I will do because he fights for all of us.”

Leonardia said it has become a tradition for him to attend Pacquiao’s last day of training and recite the first reading of the Mass in the fighter’s hotel suite on the morning of his fight.

Leonardia was one of four guests who hit the ceremonial drive opening the PAL interclub tournament at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club here last Wednesday. The others were PAL president Jaime Bautista, NOGCC president Panio Torre and pro Frankie Miñoza.

“I don’t play golf,” said Leonardia. “I prayed that I could at least hit the ball on my swing. Luckily, I did.” If that’s the luck that Leonardia brings to whatever he does, no wonder Pacquiao wants him to carry his belt.