Mindanao All-Stars outgun Gilas in huge 4th quarter, post 144-130 win

MANILA, Philippines — The Mindanao All-Stars put away a resilient Gilas Pilipinas side in the first leg of the PBA All-Star showcase that kicked off on Wednesday at Davao del Sur Sports Center.

The region’s very own Baser Amer helped the selection carve out a 144-130 win over the Nationals with his team-high 22 points. 

Amer’s 13 points came in a blistering fourth-period stand that also drew brilliant scoring performances from fellow Mindanaoans Mark Barrioca (20) and PJ Simon (17).

The smaller Mindanao squad proved to be too much of an assignment for the Gilas side — who took the floor as the Smart All-Stars — as they poured 17 unanswered points in the fourth.

Not even the valiant effort of Gilas veterans June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar could turn the tables. The former had a team-best 34 points while the latter chimed in 25.

The Mindanao All-Stars helped Tim Cone end his five-game losing streak in the All-Star showcase. His last victory as a mentor in the mid-season festivities was in 1999 alongside Benjie Paras.

Earlier, Terrence Romeo paired with Mans Carpio, the president’s son-in-law, and reigned in the Legends Shootout. They topped the tandem of former star Kenneth Duremdes and ex-boxer Bobby Pacquiao, the duo of the legendary Allan Caidica and Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, and the team of Scottie Thompson and Major Michael Sabsal.


Terrence Romeo during the Legends Shootout contest | PBA Media Bureau

Romeo, who was replacing Simon in the contest, uncorked 24 points to go with Carpio’s nine as the tandem produced a combined 33. Duremdes and Pacquiao registered a total of 27 points, Caidic and Go posted 22, and Thompson and Sabsal finished with 18.

The nightcap of the revelries in Mindanao displayed the highest scoring showcase since the North All-Stars defeated the South, 154-151, three years ago at the Big Dome.

The event moves to Batangas for the Luzon leg highlighted by Skills Contest, followed by the Dunk Contest. Another display of the league’s top talents will figure in the nightcap as the Luzon selection takes on a tweaked version of the Smart All-Stars.