ANOTHER All-Star will sit out the PBA’s annual exhibition game this Sunday, March 24, at the University of St. La Salle Gymnasium in Bacolod.
Team Japeth’s top pick overall for the mid-season extravaganza in Ginebra big man Christian Standhardinger did not fly with the PBA contingent that arrived in the City of Smiles yesterday as he was under the weather.
Former MVP Scottie Thompson (back) of the Kings and Phoenix rookie Tyler Tio (ankle sprain) were already replaced by TNT gunner Roger Pogoy and Magnolia forward Aris Dionisio for Team Japeth.
The entire pro league delegation received a warm reception in the City of Smiles in a huge kick-off for the All-Star festivities yesterday.
Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez personally welcomed the contingent led by Commissioner Willie Marcial and skippers Aguilar and Mark Barroca, whose teams will battle it out in the All-Star main game.
After 16 years, the All-Star festivities made a return to the province after the South beat North 161-158 in overtime during the 2008 edition.
“Maraming salamat sa mainit na pagtanggap at pag-imbita sa PBA dito,” Marcial said in the event’s launch at the Megaworld The Upper East. “Lalo na at nandito si Mayor na matalik nating kaibigan.”
The city mayor said he expects an exciting weekend for the province starting with the Blitz Game and Skills Challenge tomorrow and the featured All-Star game pitting Team Japeth and Team Mark on Sunday.
“Sa amin, siyempre may extra motivation kami kasi kinausap kami ni Mayor,” Barroca, the leading vote-getter for the event, said. “Siyempre, gusto rin naming manalo at ibigay ang best namin.
“Gusto naming mag-compete talaga ng high-level basketball dahil gusto naming maging special iyong All-Star sa Bacolod. Ita-try namin ang best namin na manalo sa game.”
Added Aguilar: “Kailangan naming i-defend iyong pagkapanalo namin last year. Ita-try naming iyong best namin na mag-back-to-back.”
Team Japeth held off Team Scottie 140-136 last year in Passi City, Iloilo.
Team governors Alfrancis Chua (Ginebra), Atty. Raymond Zorilla (Phoenix), and Eric Arejola (Northport), along with deputy commissioner Eric Castro, were also part of the more than 150-plus contingent.
Aside from Aguilar, Paul Lee, Calvin Oftana, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Don Trollano, Marcio Lassiter, Arvin Tolentino, Maverick Ahanmisi, Stanley Pringle, and Terrence Romeo banner the team under coach Tim Cone.
Christian David, the No. 2 overall pick in the last Draft, will take the place of injured Rain or Shine big man Keith Datu in Team Stalwarts in the Blitz Game among rookie, sophomore, and junior players. Datu is recovering from an MCL sprain.
