Bigs take centerstage in PBA All-Star ‘Obstacle Challenge’

MANILA, Philippines — Frontcourt players take their turn to test their mettle in the Obstacle Challenge of the 2018 PBA All-Star Spectacle this May.

Former MVP winner Asi Taulava leads the big men who race against time while showing their skills in dribbling, passing and shooting in one of the featured individual events in this All-Stars extravaganza slated May 23-27 with stops in Davao del Sur, Batangas City and Iloilo.

Also in the provisional list of Obstacle Challenge participants are Alaska’s Sonny Thoss, Ginebra’s Raymond Aguilar, Blackwater’s JP Erram, GlobalPort’s Kelly Nabong, Columbian’s Russell Escoto, Meralco’s Ken Bono, Phoenix’s  Doug Kramer, Magnolia’s Aldrech Ramos, Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga, San Miguel’s Yancy de Ocampo and TNT’s Yousef Taha.

Meanwhile, titleholder Allein Maliksi and former champs Terrence Romeo and James Yap banner the cast of top guns vying for the Three-Point Shootout crown.

Completing the provisional list for shooting contest are Alaska’s Jvee Casio, Ginebra’s LA Tenorio, GlobalPort’s Stanley Pringle, Columbian Dyip’s Ronald Tubid, Meralco’s Garvo Lanete, NLEX’s Larry Fonacier, Phoenix’s Matthew Wright, Magnolia’s Paul Lee and San Miguel’s Marcio Lassiter.

Romeo was on course to become the second PBA player to win the event three times in a row last year but was foiled by Maliksi. Yap, on the other hand, topped the event in 2009.

The All-Star Skills Competitions will be mounted at the Batangas City Coliseum on May 25, ushering in the All-Star Game between the PBA Luzon Stars versus Gilas Pilipinas.

The Mindanao Stars tangle with the nationals in the Davao del Sur stop on May 23 while the Visayas Stars take their turn to challenge Gilas on May 27 in Iloilo City.