IN future PBA All-Star games, the league wants more teams to have their players included in the lineup. This was disclosed by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial at the conclusion of what he said was one of the most successful editions of the mid-season basketball extravaganza.
Marcial apparently was concerned about the lack of total participation by the PBA membership as many players were selected from the more popular ballclubs like Ginebra and San Miguel Beer.
PBA mulls change in voting process
Marcial said the league will make refinements to the conduct of the midseason event, and one of the aspects that they are looking at is the voting process. He said some changes may be needed so all the teams will have a player in the All-Star Game.
The selection of players for the All-Star Games used to be based purely on fan voting, but the league made an adjustment this year where four were voted in by the coaches and the media.
To no one’s surprise, Barangay Ginebra, the most popular team in the league, was the team that had the most players voted in by fans at eight in Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger, Jamie Malonzo, Maverick Ahanmisi, Stanley Pringle, and Nards Pinto.
Thompson and Standhardinger were later replaced due to injury.
On the coaching side, Ginebra's Tim Cone got the most votes, earning a spot to coach one of the All-Star teams.
After Ginebra, Magnolia was next in the number of All-Stars at six, followed by San Miguel (5), TNT (3), Phoenix and Meralco (2 each) and Rain or Shine, NLEX, Terrafirma, NorthPort at one each.
Marcial bares return of slam dunk contest
Marcial said the PBA definitely wants the slam dunk contest to return next year. The PBA chief said the dunk competition was temporarily shelved due to injuries to some participants.
Also buoyed by the response on the big man three-point contest which was held for the first time, Marcial plans to have it again next year.
“Naging successful ang tres ng bigs. Baka isama na natin ‘yun. Three-point shootout, obstacle, three-points sa bigs, at pati slam dunk,” said Marcial.
Marcial declared the Bacolod All-Star Weekend a success after Sunday’s main event drew a packed house at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum.
But the success had some downside after many fans were turned away despite having tickets for the show because the stadium was already filled to capacity.
“Humihingi ako ng pasensiya sa mga hindi nakapasok. Nasabihan na ako ng Office of the Mayor na aasikasuhin nila ‘yun,” said Marcial.
Marcial also expressed his gratitude to the people and officials of the city government for their continued support.
“Ang ganda,” he said of the All-Star Weekend. “Kahit kailan naman, niyayakap ng mga tiga-Bacolod ang PBA. Hindi tayo nagmimintis.”
Venue for next year's All-Star Game has not been decided yet but the commissioner said some cities and provinces have shown interest.
“May probinsya na gusto. Hindi ko lang masabi dahil wala pang konkretong kasunduan ng probinsya,” said Marcial.
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