All systems go for PBA All-Star bash

This Tuesday, PBA commissioner Chito Salud and special assistant Willie Marcial will sign a contract with Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos and Laoag City Mayor Michael Farinas to stage the All-Star extravaganza in the bustling northern capital on May 10-13.

Salud and Marcial will fly to Laoag City tomorrow for the signing. They leave Legazpi City today after witnessing the Petron-Powerade game last night then take a flight to Laoag tomorrow.  The PBA executives return to Manila late Tuesday.

The All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, May 13, and is the culmination of the weekend festivities that include participation from PBA legends in a special treat for fans. The climax is the contest pitting rookies and sophomores against the rest of the PBA, dispensing with the North versus South format.

Among the rookies and sophomores eligible for the All-Star Game are Jvee Casio, Paul Lee, Marcio Lassiter, Dylan Ababou, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Sean Anthony, Chris Lutz, Mark Barroca, Mac Baracael, Rob Labagala, John Wilson, Josh Vanlandingham, R J. Jazul and Japeth Aguilar. Expected to shore up the opposing squad are veterans like Arwind Santos, Gary David, Mac-Mac Cardona, Jayson Castro, Sonny Thoss, Mark Caguioa, James Yap, Willie Miller, Bitoy Omolon and Gabe Norwood.

“Fans will vote the starting fives of each team,” said Marcial. “Then the league’s 10 coaches vote in the reserves to complete each 12-man lineup. The opposing coaches will come from the last Philippine Cup finalists, Talk ‘N’ Text and Powerade. Most likely, Chot (Reyes) will coach the veterans and Bo (Perasol) will coach the rookies and sophomores.” Marcial said the game will be a virtual reenactment of Smart Gilas versus the PBA All-Stars.

The added attraction is the involvement of the PBA legends. “We’ve invited Kenneth Duremdes, Jojo Lastimosa, Hector Calma, Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim, Alvin Patrimonio, Ato Agustin and others to play in a special game on Friday (May 11),” he said. “We’ll form two lineups made up of PBA players reinforced by the legends. So far, the response from the legends has been very positive.”

As for the retirement tributes of PBA legends, Marcial said a program is being finalized to honor Duremdes on March 23 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. It will be held before the Powerade-Alaska game or during halftime.

A tribute to former Sen. Robert Jaworski, who turned 66 last Thursday, is also in the works. Marcial said Barangay Ginebra will formally retire the Big J’s No. 7 jersey.

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Alaska’s participation in the PBA is expected to get a major boost with the entry of the Dutch dairy company Royal Friesland Campina as the company’s controlling stockholder. Friesland’s global revenues amount to an equivalent of about P200 Billion. Alaska’s annual income is more than P12 Billion. The synergy makes for a stronger Philippine company with Fred Uytengsu remaining as president, chief executive officer and director.

  Alaska PBA governor and Aces team manager Joaqui Trillo assured the public that the change in ownership will result in an even stronger involvement in sports. Alaska has been known to support not only basketball but also football, swimming, running and biking with events like the Power Camp, Jr. NBA, Xterra, Ironman and Ironkids.

“We expect this historical agreement to propel our company to its next stage of growth,” said Uytengsu. “We expect the product concepts developed by Friesland Campina to strengthen our positions in all dairy categories. In the future, integration provides Alaska Milk access to an international dairy company that has production plants in 25 countries and with products that are sold in over 100 countries worldwide. Most notably, Friesland Campina’s growing commitment to the Philippines is a vote of confidence for our country and its bright prospects.”

Holland has a rich tradition in sports with outstanding Dutch athletes like soccer’s Johan Cruyff, speed skater Robert Ritsma, swimmer Pieter van den Hoogenband and NBA players Swen Nater and Rik Smits. The country is known to promote kickboxing and host the Haarlem Basketball Classic in December. The popular Dutch football club Ajax, with its trademark orange theme, is a world power.

Nater, now 62, played in the ABA and NBA from 1973 to 1984. The 6-11 center saw action on two UCLA title teams in the NCAA and was employed as a sporting goods buyer by the Seattle company Costco. Smits, now 45, was called the Dunkin’ Dutchman in 12 years with the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. The 7-4 Smits is currently involved in motocross racing.