Pacquiao rarin’ to play in legends game: PBA All Stars show wares in Davao

Games Friday (Digos, Davao del Sur)

4:15 p.m. – Skills Challenge

6:30 p.m. – Legends Game

Games Sunday (Digos, Davao del Sur)

4:15 p.m. – Shooting stars

6:30 p.m. – All-Star Game

MANILA, Philippines - The main bulk of the 150-strong PBA delegation flies to Davao today as the Cebuana Lhuillier PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs take a break to give way to the staging of the 2013 PBA All-Star Week in Digos, Davao del Sur May 1-6.

Stars of Alaska Milk, Barangay Ginebra, San Mig Coffee and Talk n Text get a much needed respite from their Final Four showdowns – now both tied at one-game apiece – to lead the cream of PBA players performing in the annual mid-season spectacle.

The PBA All-Star Week Extravaganza returns to Mindanao for the first time in four years with Gilas Pilipinas II making its first-ever appearance in the event as part of its buildup for the FIBA Asia Championship.

The 24th edition of the PBA All-Star Game, the main event of the All-Star Week festivities, departs from the traditional North-versus-South and RSJs-Veterans formats to help the Nationals in their preparation for the coming FIBA Asia tilt.

“This year has been very special. We’ll be hosting the FIBA-Asia and, in this All-Stars, the highlight will be the unveiling of our Gilas national team, and I find that very appropriate considering that Digos has always been a regular host of PBA out-of-town games,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud.

Alaska coach Luigi Trillo temporarily shelves his Commissioner’s Cup aspiration as he calls the shots for the PBA All Stars against Gilas Pilipinas in Sunday’s main event.

James Yap, Mark Caguioa, Calvin Abueva, Arwind Santos, Chris Ellis, Niño Canaleta, Alex Cabagnot, Jay Washington, Cyrus Baguio, Jayvee Casio, Marcio Lassiter and Beau Belga make up Trillo’s team going up against national hopefuls Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo, Larry Fonacier, Ryan Reyes, Gary David, Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio, Marc Pingris, Junmar Fajardo, Sonny Thoss, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, Greg Slaughter and Marcus Douthit.

A host of other PBA stars perform in the Digos All-Star event, including Mark Macapagal and Jonas Villanueva who seek to stretch their reigns in skills events slated Friday.

Macapagal topped the three-point shootout for a third straight year and Macapagal scored his own three-peat in the Obstacle Challenge in Laoag City last year.

Undefeated in Slam Dunk five times, Canaleta is no longer joining the contest and, instead, concentrates in the three-point shootout. The 6-foot-4 forward topped the elimination round before settling for runner-up honors behind Macapagal last year.

Meanwhile, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has indicated an interest in joining as  celebrity participant in the Legends Game.

Pacquiao, who regularly plays the game during break in training, volunteered his participation through Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas.

“Manny asked Gov. Cagas if he can play. We said he’s very much welcome. We can include him in the Legends Game. We’re still awaiting the confirmation,” PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial told The STAR.

If ever, the boxing star, who owns a basketball team in MP GenSan, would join former PBA stars Benjie Paras, Jerry Codiñera, Noli Locsin, Vince Hizon, Bong Hawkins and Bong Ravena in the Legends Game Friday.

“We can include him in Team Stalwarts,” said Marcial.

Making up Team Stalwarts are Paras, Ravena, Dickie Bachmann, Topex Robinson, Ronald Tubid, Chris Tiu, JC Intal, Willie Miller, Mark Macapagal and Jervy Cruz.

Team Stalwarts will be up against Team Greats composed of Hawkins, Codinera, Hizon, Locsin, Johnedel Cardel, Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Mike Cortez, Cliff Hodge, PJ Simon and Joe Devance.

During break in boxing, Pacquiao regularly plays basketball.