CANDON CITY - Former PBA MVPs Arwind Santos and Willie Miller, as well as fellow legends Marc Pingris and Ranidel De Ocampo will all be playing in the Rookies and Sophomores vs. Juniors game on Friday.
Miller and Santos will be in action for the Rookies and Sophomores team, while De Ocampo and Pingris will be joining the Juniors team.
Miller, the 2002 and 2007 MVP, and Santos, who won the individual accolade in 2013, will be among the attractions for the contest that will feature the league's best first to third-year players.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial bringing in the four former players are part of the celebration of the league’s 50th anniversary, which is in place of the initial plan to have two teams of legends playing against each other
“Pinaplano namin talaga kasi 50th anniversary, papalaruin sila, two teams ng legends. ‘Yung iba, hindi magkasundo sa schedule so nahihirapan kami. Sinabi ko, magsama tayo kahit apat. Gusto ko nga tig-apat. Nahihirapan din talaga sa schedules,” said Marcial during Thursday’s press conference at the Hotel Van Gogh.
“Buti napagbigyan ako ng apat na legends. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila,” said Marcial.
Miller and De Ocampo are looking forward to get back on the court alongside the youngsters of the league.
De Ocampo, who is currently an assistant coach of TNT, will even be playing alongside Tropang 5G players Henry Galinato and Kim Aurin in the RSJ showdown.
“’Yung coach din namin sa TNT,” said the 44-year-old De Ocampo, referring to Chot Reyes’ lieutenants Sandy Arespachochaga and Yuri Escueta. “Excited kami.”
“When it comes to basketball, competitive. Kahit fun basketball, Pilipino tayo, ayaw natin magpatalo diba. Pag jumpball, iba na ‘yung mentality,” said the 48-year-old Miller.
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