BACOLOD – After two days of fan events, the PBA All-Stars will finally take the court at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum on Saturday with a set of skills challenges and a game involving the future stars of the league.
Here’s what you need to know about Saturday’s events.
Where to watch
Venue: University of St. La Salle Coliseum
Time: 3 p.m.
Broadcast: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live app
Obstacle Challenge
Dave Marcelo is defending his crown in the obstacle challenge after he won last year’s edition when he was still with TNT. Now with NLEX, Marcelo hopes to win one of the two skills challenges competitions he is entered.
Each player will be racing in an obstacle against one another in a knockout-style competition. The final three will compete, with the fastest time adjudged as the winner.
The pairings are as follows:
Isaac Go of Terrafirma vs. Jason Perkins of Phoenix
James Laput of Magnolia vs. Clifford Jopia of Blackwater
Dave Marcelo of NLEX vs. Ralph Cu of Barangay Ginebra
JM Calma of NorthPort vs. Mo Tautuaa of San Miguel
Santi Santillan of Rain or Shine vs. Raymond Almazan of Meralco
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser of TNT vs. Justin Arana of Converge
Three-point Shootout big man edition
The NUSTAR Resort and Casino 3-Point Shootout Big Man Edition was included in the program for the first time following the scrapping of the Slam Dunk Contest, at least for this year.
The contestants are as follows: Ralph Cu (Barangay Ginebra), Christian David of Blackwater, Keith Zaldivar (Converge), James Laput (Magnolia), Raymond Almazan (Meralco), Dave Marcelo (NLEX), JM Calma (NorthPort), Jason Perkins (Phoenix), Santi Santillan (Rain or Shine), June Mar Fajardo (San Miguel), Isaac Go (Terrafirma), and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser (TNT).
Three-point Shootout guards
Paul Lee is set to defend his crown in the main three-point shoot-out, and will look to become the first back-to-back champion since Terrence Romeo (2015-2016).
He will be up against the following: Maverick Ahanmisi (Barangay Ginebra), James Yap (Blackwater), Alec Stockton (Converge), Chris Newsome (Meralco), Robbie Herndon (NLEX), Arvin Tolentino (NorthPort), Ken Tuffin (Phoenix), Andrei Caracut (Rain or Shine), Marcio Lassiter (San Miguel), Javi Gomez de Liano (Terrafirma), Calvin Oftana (TNT).
Team Greats vs. Team Stalwarts
The rookies, sophomores, and juniors take centerstage in the main event of the day also called as the Blitz Game with the match-up between Team Greats and Team Stalwarts. In last year’s competition, Team Greats won, 158-138, with Adrian Wong, then playing for Magnolia, named the MVP.
Team Greats will be coached by Patrick Partosa of Barangay Ginebra while Team Stalwarts is headed by Peter Martin of San Miguel.
The players are as follows:
Greats: Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Javi Gomez de Liano, Kenneth Tuffin, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Justin Arana, Ralph Cu, Andrei Caracut, RK Ilagan, Alec Stockton, Gian Mamuyac, James Laput, Shaun Ildefonso.
Stalwarts: Christian David (replacement to Kyt Jimenez), John Amores, Stephen Holt, Fran Yu, Adrian Nocum, Kim Aurin, JM Calma, Joshua Munzon, Anton Asistio, Santi Santillan, Keith Zaldivar.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
