CANDON CITY – Two first-time PBA All-Stars are cherishing the moment of being part of the showcase game to be played on Sunday at the Candon City Arena.
JB Bahio and Santi Santillan got the nod of the coaches after making the reserve team of the South All-Stars.
Bahio gets a place in the All-Star Game following a rise in performance for NLEX. During the recent Philippine Cup, Bahio averaged 13.6 points and 8.5 rebounds after he became one of the focal points of the offense for the Road Warriors.
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His numbers are on pace to improve from the 7.9-point, 6.3-rebound clip for the entire 49th Season.
“Sobrang grateful ko po kasi pinangarap ko lang makalaro sa PBA at makatungtong sa PBA. Tapos ngayon, nakasama pa dito sa All-Star Game. Makakasama ko ‘yung mga pinapanood ko lang dati sa TV,” said Bahio, the junior Road Warriors big.
Santillan’s numbers are also on a rise after he normed 11.4 points and 7.2 rebounds during the 50th Season Philippine Cup, up from 10.4 points and 5.4 rebounds during the entire last season.
Santillan, a fifth-year veteran, is looking forward to join his fellow Bisaya in the All-Star Game.
“Masaya talaga ako na napili ako. First time All-Star. Pinapangarap ko rin makasama ‘yung mga Bisaya. Sila June Mar, Bolick, Calvin Oftana. Isang blessing na makasama sila. I-enjoy lang namin,” said Santillan.
Bahio is glad that his hardwork is starting to pay off with the All-Star distinction.
“Siguro nagbunga din ‘yung pinaghirapan ko sa offseason, extra ko sa skills work at sa weights room. Nung offseason, nag-double time ako doon kaya siguro na-suwerte din na maganda ‘yung pinaghirapan ko," he said.
“’Yun lang naman siguro ang puhunan ko (sipag). Kahit saan team ako mapunta, ‘yun talaga puhunan ko, ‘yung sipag sa practices and especially sa laro,” he added.
Santillan is also honored that the coaches picked him to be part of the All-Star Game.
“Napili siguro nila ako dahil kulang sa pogi. Dagdag pogi na nandoon ako,” said Santillan in jest.
“Siguro malaki tiwala nila sa akin. Pagdating doon, hindi ko sasayangin ‘yung tiwala,” he added.
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