CALASIAO, Pangasinan—The Rookies/Sophomores team is not taking things lightly as it faces the Juniors side in the PBA All-Star Game on Friday at the Calasiao Sports Complex here.
Rookies/Sophomores coach Chris Gavina held a light practice on Thursday, which the players didn’t mind.
Gavina will be handling the team that will be led by last year’s top overall pick CJ Perez. He will be joined by last year’s Rookie of the Year Jason Perkins, Jeron Teng, Robert Bolick, Raymar Jose, Abu Tratter, Paul Desiderio, Mac Tallo, Trevis Jackson, Rey Nambatac, Javee Mocon, and Robbie Herndon.
“Everybody wants to win,” Gavina said after Thursday afternoon’s practice at the Calasiao Sports Complex. “I think the guys are highly competitive."
Gavina, who is one of the assistant coaches of Rain or Shine, cited Elastopainters rookie Mocon as among those determined to win the match.
“I know Javee Mocon is looking forward to coming home with a win. He said, ‘Coach, we are not losing.’ I said, alright. You better make sure of that,” said Gavina.
Despite their competitiveness to win the game, Gavina said it will also be a fun game for everyone.
“A lot of these guys are looking forward to playing with each other instead of against each other. I told them nobody wants to come out here on a losing note. I think they will compete and it should be a fun game.”
Gavina said he is impressed with the immense talent the team has, even encouraging his team to play like the Houston Rockets.
“I’m impressed with going up against these guys. I look forward to seeing CJ and Perkins can do as a tandem out there. The backcourt of Bolick and Trevis, and Mac, they are really quick. We have a bunch of shooters. I told them to play like the Houston Rockets. Let it fly,” Gavina said.
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.
