PBA brings back All-Stars

LAS VEGAS, United States — After an absence in Season 49, the PBA All-Star festivities will be back, set in Candon City, Ilocos Sur, in between the Philippine Cup and the Governors’ Cup in March.

“The All-Stars can’t be missed. It’s a big part of the yearlong celebration of PBA Season 50,” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

“Actually, there’s another provincial city interested to host the Season 50 All-Stars, but it’s been awarded to Candon as early as two years ago,” Marcial added.

Sadly, the Season 49 edition of the annual midseason extravaganza was scrapped due to an unforeseen circumstance. It was supposed to be held in Panabo.

It was last held in 2024 at the St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod with Team Mark Barroca and Team Japeth Aguilar fighting to a 140-all draw.

Robert Bolick drained a game-tying four-ball in the closing seconds and ended up sharing the MVP honors with Aguilar.

“This early, we’re set for our Candon visit. Two years ahead kasi kami sa pagsara ng All-Star hosting,” said Marcial, adding the that the PBA is bringing the festivities to Cagayan de Oro for Season 51.

The staging of the Candon All-Stars was among the items approved by the PBA board in its planning session at the MGM Grand Garden Resort here.

Season 50 fires off in October 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Philippine Cup will be the season-opener to be followed by the Governors’ Cup featuring imports with unlimited height, then the Commissioner’s Cup with a height cap of 6-foot-6 for the reinforcements.

The Commissioner’s Cup is expected to feature prized imports Justin Brownlee and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson among others. Before their grudge match, Brownlee and RHJ are teaming up with the Meralco Bolts in their EASL campaign.