FESTIVITIES in the 2015 All-Star Week kick off today showcasing the Rookies vs. Sophomores Blitz Game and Skills Challenges in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Justin Melton and Rey Guevarra, co-winners in last year’s slam dunk contest, will go up against fellow high-flyers Japeth Aguilar, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser and JC Intal.
Looking to defend his Obstacle Challenge crown is Mark Barroca, who will take on former champion Jonas Villanueva, Simon Atkins, LA Tenorio, LA Revilla, RR Garcia, Brian Heruela, Chris Banchero, Stanley Pringle, Castro and Jeric Fortuna.
Mark Macapagal, on the other hand, guns for a league-record sixth three-point shootout title when he challenges deadshots James Yap, LA Tenorio, Arwind Santos and Jimmy Alapag, who is on a special participation after the league gave him a fitting send-off after retiring a few months ago.
CEBUANOS ABSENT
Coached by Alex Compton, the South All Stars will be missing June Mar Fajardo and Dondon Hontiveros, both Cebuanos, due to injuries.
“They (South team) are big but we got a lot of shooters. Our quickness should also make a difference,” observed coach Leo Austria of the North All-Stars.
The North All Stars will parade starters Marc Pingris, Melton, Castro, Calvin Abueva and Aguilar. Completing the team are Santos, Paul Lee, Terrence Romeo, Ranidel De Ocampo, Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood and Tenorio.
The league is holding its last All-Star Week under commissioner Chito Salud, who announced he will be stepping down at the end of the 40th season.
“This is as sweet as the first,” Salud said in a pba.ph report. “I have a lot of memories during my stint with the league. But the one that I will take with me is the moment I have with the players during the league’s various outreach programs and knowing that the players have recognized their responsibility of playing their hearts out day in and day out to keep the fans happy.”
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