Innovation in All-Star poll

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Noli Eala thought of something new to introduce in the selection of players who’ll see action in the All-Star Game in Cagayan de Oro on April 29.

The innovation is fans from the host city were given the chance to choose a player for both squads.

"I noticed in the last two All-Star Games in Cebu and Laoag, some fans from the host cities were looking for certain players who weren’t there," said Eala yesterday. "So the idea came up to give the local fans the opportunity to pick their favorites."

The concept of allowing the host city to directly participate in the selection of at least two players in the All-Star Game was a huge hit with the fans. Cagayan de Oro, Butuan and Iligan were designated as voting centers and for nearly two weeks, fans cast their ballots. In the final reckoning, Roger Yap was the top overall choice with over 15,000 votes and automatically took a slot in the South team because of his roots. Kerby Raymundo led in the balloting among players with Northern lineage and booked a seat, too.

Yap and Raymundo claimed slots as sixth men from the Misamis Oriental votes.

The starters of both squads were chosen by public balloting with a huge turnout from Metro Manila. The North first-stringers are Romel Adducul, Danny Ildefonso, Enrico Villanueva, Mark Caguioa and Jay-Jay Helterbrand. The South starters are Eric Menk, Asi Taulava, Danny Seigle, James Yap and Jimmy Alapag.

The league’s nine coaches selected the six reserves for both teams with the restriction they could not vote for their players.

Coming off the bench for the North are Ali Peek, Olsen Racela, Nic Belasco, John Arigo, Ren-Ren Ritualo and Willie Miller while the South relievers are Dorian Pena, Dondon Hontiveros, Cyrus Baguio, Rafi Reavis, Reynel Hugnatan and Noy Castillo.

Only Sta. Lucia Realty will not be represented in the All-Star Game. Dennis Espino, Kenneth Duremdes and Marlou Aquino are hobbled with injuries. Alex Cabagnot would’ve been a welcome addition but wasn’t picked. As a consolation, he’ll play in the blitz game between the Rookies and Sophomores on April 28. Cabagnot is also listed as an entry in the Obstacle Challenge.

Cabagnot will be joined by Larry Fonacier, Michael Holper, Denok Miranda, Nino Canaleta, Paolo Bugia, Mac-Mac Cardona and Leo Najorda in the Rookies squad. The Sophomores lineup consists of Sonny Thoss, Rich Alvarez, Marc Pingris, Paul Artadi, Wesley Gonzales, Ranidel de Ocampo, Bitoy Omolon and Willie Wilson.

In the 3-Point Shootout, the contestants are Ritualo, Belasco, Johnny Abarrientos, Caguioa, James Yap, Fonacier, Racela, Paolo Mendoza and Alapag.

Cabagnot will compete in the Obstacle Challenge with Wynne Arboleda, Mike Cortez (who nearly made it to the All-Star Game), Miranda, Caguioa, Artadi, Topex Robinson, Hontiveros and Miller.

Canaleta will defend his Slam Dunk crown against Brandon Cablay, Baguio, Arigo and Joey Mente. The Trick Shot participants are Paolo Hubalde, Miller, Ronald Tubid, Jimwell Torion and Helterbrand.

Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno, who plays hoops himself, is rolling out the red carpet for the PBA. His sports consultant Val Rosabal, a former commercial league standout, is making sure the All-Star Weekend will be an affair to remember for a long, long time.

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Not a few readers phoned to ask more about legendary Benguet fistic hero Rey Tam’s fight against Alexis Arguello for the World Boxing Council superfeatherweight title in Los Angeles in 1978. Tam’s life story was published in this section last Monday.

Here’s what happened.

In the first round, Arguello opened a cut over Tam’s right eye but it didn’t seem to bother the tough challenger who was clearly the aggressor. Tam never took a step back as he took the fight to the Nicaraguan.

Arguello, taller by three inches, kept Tam at bay with sharp jabs and counterpunched his way to an early lead. Tam, however, was relentless in his attack. It didn’t matter that Arguello repeatedly peppered him with rapier-like jabs. Tam just wouldn’t back down.

Early in the fifth round, Arguello landed a short right that shook up Tam. Sensing the challenger was hurt, Arguello charged in and threw a series of unanswered blows. Tam appeared wobbly but was not close to hitting the deck. Referee Rudy Jordan then stepped in to stop the contest at the 1:54 mark.

According to Tam, he was more frustrated by Jordan than Arguello. He claimed the referee broke up the fighters whenever Arguello was in trouble. When Jordan stopped the fight, Tam said he turned to the referee, shouted ‘bullsh*t’ and walked back to his corner.

But in a Ring Magazine account of the fight, Tam blamed cramps for his defeat. The report said he felt stiffness in his right leg starting the third round.

Arguello confessed it wasn’t easy repulsing Tam. "It’s difficult for me to fight a southpaw and it took three or four rounds for me to figure him out," said Arguello. "I’m really a better fighter when I’m working inside but I had to work him at long range. He was a good challenger. He kept coming at me. I think I really hurt him first with a shot to the head in the second round."

It was Arguello’s first defense of the 130-pound title he wrested from Alfredo Escalera three months earlier. He would later defend the throne against another Filipino, Rolando Navarrete.

Tam said several years after their fight, Arguello quietly flew to the Philippines and sought him out. He said Arguello made his way to Benguet but they never met. Instead, Arguello saw Tam’s brother and gave a framed memento to remember him by. Tam said the Nicaraguan must have felt guilty about the way the Filipino lost their bout.

Tam retired from the ring in 1982. He is now blind in the right eye, a condition triggered by a cataract and aggravated by a drinking problem.