It’s been seven years since the Smart Araneta Coliseum hosted the annual PBA All-Star extravaganza and now that the league’s glitziest event is back in the Big Dome, commissioner Chito Narvasa has lined up a weekend treat that will be hard to top.
The last PBA All-Star Game staged at Araneta was in 2009 when Willie Miller, Kerby Raymundo, Paul Artadi and Dorian Pena were still in uniform. The only holdovers from that edition in the cast this year are Marc Pingris, Ranidel de Ocampo, Gabe Norwood, James Yap and Asi Taulava. In 2009, Yap was the three-point shootout king, KG Canaleta topped the slam dunk contest and Artadi was the obstacle challenge master.
The festivities get underway today with a full schedule featuring the obstacle challenge, three-point shootout, slam dunk contest and the blitz game with a twist. Last year, the blitz game pitted the rookies against the sophomores with the freshmen winning, 150-131. This year, the blitz game will gather active players, legends and PBA D-League standouts in an unprecedented assembly.
Back to defend the obstacle challenge crown is GlobalPort’s Jeric Fortuna. Out to dislodge him from the throne are Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson, San Miguel Beer’s Brian Heruela, Star Hotshots’ Mark Barroca, Blackwater’s Carlo Lastimosa, Rain Or Shine’s Maverick Ahanmisi, Alaska’s Chris Banchero, Mahindra’s Paolo Taha, Meralco’s Chris Newsome, NLEX’ Emman Monfort, Phoenix’ Mark Cruz and TNT KaTropa’s Jai Reyes. Taha took the place of L. A. Revilla, out for two weeks with a broken nose.
In the three-point shootout, GlobalPort’s Terrence Romeo is itching for a repeat. The challengers are Star’s Yap, Rain Or Shine’s Jeff Chan, San Miguel Beer’s Alex Cabagnot, Alaska’s R. J. Jazul, Barangay Ginebra’s JayJay Helterbrand, Blackwater’s Almond Vosotros, Mahindra’s Canaleta, Meralco’s Jared Dillinger, NLEX’ Garvo Lanete, Phoenix’ Simon Enciso and TNT KaTropa’s Troy Rosario. Any one of the 12 hitmen can get lucky and run away with the prize. They’re all deadshots. There will be one elimination round then the top three advance to the single-round finals.
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The slam dunk contest is down to a four-way battle. TNT’s Mo Tautuaa has backed out after hurting his knee in practice a few days ago. Also withdrawing were Star’s Justin Melton and Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar and Chris Ellis. Canaleta, a four-time slam dunk champion, has opted to compete in other events. So the joust will be a jam party involving only defending champIon Rey Guevarra of Meralco, NLEX’ James Forrester, Barangay Ginebra rookie Franklin Bonifacio and Newsome. Unless any of the three challengers comes up with something spectacular, Guevarra should elevate to snatch another trophy.
The blitz game will bring back the Greats versus Stalwarts format which was used in 2012, 2013 and 2014 when four legends reinforced eight active players on both sides. The Greats took the first encounter with Ato Agustin as the MVP while the Stalwarts claimed the last two with Kenneth Duremdes the MVP in 2013 and Guevarra the MVP in 2014.
The Greats will be made up of active players Ahanmisi, Kevin Alas, Anthony Semerad and Ian Sangalang, retired players Noli Locsin, Bong Ravena, Johnny Abarrientos and Paolo Bugia and D-League players Ed Daquioag, Mac Belo, R. R. Pogoy and Jonathan Grey. The Stalwarts will be composed of active players Banchero, Manny Pacquiao, David Semerad and Raymond Almazan, retired players Alvin Patrimonio, Nic Belasco, Ronnie Magsanoc and Topex Robinson and D-League players Mike Tolomia, Russell Escoto, Raffy Banal and Bryan Cruz. Pacquiao replaced Revilla in the Stalwarts lineup.
The blitz game will be split into four 10-minute quarters with an 18-second shot clock and a 6-second limit to cross the midcourt line. Each dunk will count for three points and no player will foul out but on the seventh personal, the other team shoots two free throws when not in the act of shooting, three on a missed shot from two-point distance, four on a missed shot from beyond the arc and a bonus free throw for every conversion from two or three-point range.
Tomorrow, the PBA will hold a clinic for referees and a fun game between the PBA media and a team made up of Pacquiao, GlobalPort owner Rep. Mikee Romero, presidential adviser Bong Go, Narvasa, GlobalPort Governor Erick Arejola, Star Governor Rene Pardo, Barangay Ginebra Governor Alfrancis Chua, Meralco Governor Al Panlilio, NLEX team manager Rodrigo Dulatre and TNT KaTropa team manager Virgil Villavicencio. The coaching staff will be composed of Mahindra team manager Rep. Eric Pineda, PBA chairman Robert Non and PBA director of communications Willie Marcial.
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On Sunday, there will be a three-team shooting stars contest. Thompson will anchor Team A whose other players are Andrei Evengelo of Batang PBA, Cecille Junsay of the PBA women’s tournament and a Cignal TV invitee. Rain Or Shine’s Jericho Cruz will head Team B whose other players are Stacey Tibayan of Batang PBA, Regina de la Merced of the PBA women’s tournament and a Cignal TV invitee. Romeo will lead Team C whose other players are C. J. Due of Batang PBA, Francine Due of the PBA women’s tournament and a Cignal TV invitee. Marcial said the shooting stars contest showcases two of the league’s key platforms – the Batang PBA and the women’s tournament. Cignal TV head of channels Sienna Olaso is bringing together subscribers, advertisers and suppliers from all over the country and will nominate one each to join the three teams.
A full-court game featuring the stars of the PBA’s women tournament will be next in the agenda. NLEX assistant coach Mon Celis will call the shots for Team A composed of Ewon Arayi, Camille Ramos, Monika Reyes, Jacquelyn Suarez, Analyn Almazan, May Confesor, Alyssa Vega, Junsay, Jhustine Rala and Norlyn Japitana. Rain Or Shine assistant coach Mike Buenda will take care of TeamB made up of De la Merced, Sarah Mercado, Ayra Hufanda, Chovi Borja, Francine Geli, Micah Torres, Jelline Batnag, Frances Galang, Macelie Abaca and Rubelyn Mendoza.
In the main event, Rain Or Shine’s Yeng Guiao will coach the North while San Miguel Beer’s Leo Austria, the South. Greg Slaughter would’ve started but is injured so his slot went to Taulava in the South. Others in the South are Yap, Thompson, JuneMar Fajardo and Joe DeVance as starters, J. R. Quinahan, Chan, Jericho Cruz, Chris Ross, Barroca, R. R. Garcia and Lastimosa. The North is bannered by Mark Caguioa, Romeo, Pingris, Calvin Abueva and Aguilar as starters, Jayson Castro, Cabagnot, Norwood, Paul Lee, Stanley Pringle, De Ocampo and Rosario.