Welcome to RP'S tourism capital: Puerto Princesa hosts All-Stars

MANILA, Philippines - A warm welcome amidst a festive atmosphere awaits the PBA All-Stars delegation in the city of Puerto Princesa, which plays host to the annual spectacle for the very first time this weekend.

The PBA contingent will arrive in this tourist destination and sporting haven this afternoon.

Staging the mid-season classic, according to Mayor Edward Hagedorn, has been a dream of the province as it longed to showcase the hospitality of the Palaweños, and at the same time promote the city as an emerging sports tourism capital in the country.

The All-Star festivity is set April 23-25 with the competition reverting to its old format pitting the North against the South.

“For a long time now, the people of Puerto Princesa have been longing to host the PBA All-Star game. That’s why we are very happy that we were given this chance to host this year’s PBA All-Stars,” Hagedorn said.

The mayor said he expects a full-house crowd at the 10,000-seating capacity Puerto Princesa Coliseum for the All-Star game itself.

The All-Star bash is the latest sports event Puerto Princesa is hosting, having staged the likes of Palarong Pambansa, Asian cycling championships, the boxing Olympic qualifying meet, a leg of the Petron Ladies beach volleyball tournament and even a slew of PBA games.

At the same time, the province will be taking the opportunity to showcase the beauty and potential of Palawan as a possible sports tourism capital, especially with its famous underground river among the 28 finalists for the Seven New Wonders of the World.

“We don’t have any industrial companies, mining or logging here. What we boast of is our tourism and we hope the All-Star will be able to promote Palawan as the country’s sports tourism capital,” Hagedorn said.

Derby Ace stalwart and top fan choice James Yap and Kelly Williams lead a South team seeking to score a repeat over its North counterpart, bannered by JayJay Helterbrand and Mark Pingris, following its 163-158 win in overtime two years ago in Bacolod City.

The North versus South All-Star Game is scheduled on Sunday at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum.

Other highlights of the three-day mid-summer games are the Rookies versus Sophomore Blitz Game as well as the skills events - 3-point shootout, slam dunk contest, obstacle challenge – which will be held tomorrow.