CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur – The PBA’s best players converge on Sunday as the All-Star Game is played at the Candon City Arena. While it is going to be an exhibition game, don’t rule out a competitive contest.
Here is a preview of the game
SOLID NORTH VS. SOLID SOUTH
When: Sunday, March 8. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Candon City Arena
Format returns after seven years
The All-Star Game format between North and South returns after seven years. The last time it was played was in 2019 in Calasiao, Pangasinan with the North beating South, 185-170, with Arwind Santos and Japeth Aguilar being named as the co-MVP.
North enjoys winning streak
The North vs. South format has been used by the league for many years prior to 2019. Over the last five editions, the North squad has actually won. The final time that South won the match-up was in 2008 in overtime, 163-158. The game was held in Bacolod and PJ Simon bagged the MVP.
Young stars on display
The All-Star Game will also showcase the new breed of stars of the league, among them Juan Gomez de Liano, Justine Baltazar, and Adrian Nocum, who were voted by either the fans or the coaches to take part in the main contest instead of the Rookies, Sophomores, Juniors game.
Depleted South squad
The South will be out to break a five-game losing streak, but they will have to do it with only nine players as Scottie Thompson, Jericho Cruz, and RR Pogoy have been ruled out of the ballgame. South is left with June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel, RJ Abarrientos of Barangay Ginebra, Calvin Oftana of TNT, Robert Bolick of NLEX, JB Bahio of NLEX, Santi Santillan of Rain or Shine, Alec Stockton of Converge, Caelan Tiongson of Rain or Shine, and Rey Nambatac of TNT.
The North will have a full roster of Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra, Juan Gomez de Liano of Converge, Cjay Perez of San Miguel, Stephen Holt of Barangay Ginebra, Justine Baltazar of Converge, Adrian Nocum of Rain or Shine, Chris Newsome of Meralco, CJ Cansino of Meralco, Gian Mamuyac of Rain or Shine, Justin Arana of Converge, and Don Trollano of San Miguel.
June Mar plays against Coach Leo
June Mar Fajardo will be playing for the South All-Stars but his San Miguel coach Leo Austria will be on the other side calling the shots for the North team. The nine-team PBA MVP from Pinangumajan, Cebu will also be up against his Beermen teammates Cjay Perez and Don Trollano.
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