Basketball extravaganza takes the spotlight anew as the PBA invades Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for the staging of the annual All-Star game that gets underway starting this week.
Led by Commissioner Willie Marcial, delegates and officials, including members of the Mindanao All-Star and the Smart All Star Philippine team, will troop to Digos, Davao del Sur beginning Tuesday for the May 23 kickoff leg of the mid-season classic with Phoenix Fuel with Phoenix Pulse Technology as major sponsor.
The Davao del Sur Coliseum hosts the 7p.m. match pitting the national team mentored by Norman Black against the Mindanao selection of coach Tim Cone.
As an added treat, a Legends shootout will be held before the game featuring four shooting tandems in Allan Caidic/Secretary Bong Go, Kenneth Duremdes/Senator Manny Pacquiao, Peter June Simon/Presidential son-in-law Mans Carpio, and Scottie Thompson/Major Michael Sabsal.
Governor Mark Cagas will be a special guest at ringside to open the initial leg of the three-phase event also backed by Peak Sports Apparel, Molten, PBA Rush-Cignal, Nature’s Spring, TAGHeuer, Gatorade, and Rain or Shine.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be the host of the 2018 All-Star game opener. We hope to give PBA fans a treat and set the perfect stage for another exciting week of basketball ahead,” said Cagas.
From Davao, the contingent travels up north in Batangas City for the meet’s second leg on May 25.
As appetizer to the 7 p.m. game at the Batangas City Coliseum between coach Leo Austria’s Luzon All-Star against the national team to be handled by Yeng Guiao, are the various skills competitions such as the Obstacle Challenge, Three-Point shootout, Slam Dunk, and the Shooting Stars will be held.
It’s back down south on May as All-Star week culminates in Iloilo City with the Visayas All-Star of coach Chito Victolero tangling with Nash Racela and the Philippine squad at the San Agustin gym.
Various clinics, courtesy calls, motorcades, outreach program, and meet and greet activities will mark the staging of all three legs of the All-Star.
