PBA heads to Laoag for All-Star spectacle

CEBU, Philippines - All roads lead to Laoag City as participants in the 2012 PBA All-Star weekend depart for the Ilocos Norte capital starting today.

Commissioner Chito Salud and chairman Mamerto Mondragon head the main batch of delegates leaving late in the afternoon via Philippine Airlines, a day before this year’s edition of the annual extravaganza comes off the wraps in the bustling northern city.

Making up the bulk of the contingent are members of the Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors (RSJ) squad that square off against their Veteran counterparts in the main offering of the All-Star classic this Sunday at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena (INCA).

JV Casio, the year’s top rookie pick, will be at the forefront of the RSJ’s campaign that also includes Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz, Dylan Ababou, Josh Urbiztondo, Japeth Aguilar, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Mac Baracael, Rico Maierhofer, Marc Barroca, Chris Ross, and Paul Lee.

Coaching the young group is Powerade’s Bo Perasol.

Two-time MVP James Yap lead the cast of Veterans along with Arwind Santos, Gary David, Marc Pingris, JC Intal, L.A. Tenorio, Alex Cabagnot, Ranidel de Ocampo, Gabe Norwood and Sonny Thoss.

Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio calls the shot for the old hand.

The City of Laoag led by Mayor Michael V. Farinas and the province of Ilocos Norte under Governor Imee Marcos, are expected to roll out the red carpet for the entire PBA family as it host the event for the second time in the last seven years.

The four-day event comes as a fitting follow-up to the blockbuster Commissioner’s Cup Finals between B-Meg and Talk N Text, which the Llamados won in classic fashion, 90-84, in the deciding Game 7 that went into overtime before a jampacked crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.           

Also part of the All-Star weekend is the match-up between the Stalwarts and Greats, replacing the Rookies-Sophomore Blitz game.

Team Stalwarts will see former league greats Allan Caidic, Kenneth Duremdes, Bong Ravena, Johnny Abarrientos and Leandro Isaac teaming up with Mac Cardona, Asi Taulava, Cyrus Baguio, Jeff Chan, PJ Simon, and Sean Anthony.

Meanwhile, Team Greats have four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio, Ato Agustin and Jojo Lastimosa joining forces with Olsesn Racela, Danny Ildefonso, Nino Canaleta, Danny Seigle, Joseph Yeo, Willie Miller, Mike Cortez, and Sol Mercado.

Not to be missed is the traditional skills competitions that include the Obstacle Challenge, Three-Point Shootout, Shooting Stars, and the Slam Dunk contest.

The Obstacle Challenge and Three-Point Shootout will be held as side-events of Team Greats vs. Team Stalwarts on May 11, while the Shooting Stars and Slam Dunk contest are set as appetizers for Sunday’s All-Star game.

Basketball clinics for kids (to be supervised by NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez), coaches clinic (to be conducted by coaches Peraso and Gregorio), referees clinic (to be supervised by Ramil Cruz, PBA’s supervisor of officials), hospital visit and street party have also been included in the calendar of activities of the league’s summer spectacle. — (FREEMAN)