All roads lead to Bacolod City on March 23-24 when the PBA All-Star Game fires off.It will be the first time in 16 years that the “City of Smiles” will host the event. Team Japeth will play against Team Mark. Japeth Aguilar of Ginebra will team up with buddies Christian Standhardinger, Jamie Malonzo, Scottie Thompson, Stanley Pringle, Maverick Ahanmisi with support from Chris Newsome of Meralco, Magnolia’s Paul Lee, Calvin Oftana of TNT, Don Trollano of San Miguel, Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort, Terence Romero and Marcio Lassiter of San Miguel, and Tyler Tio of Phoenix. Mark Baroca will skipper his team composed of Magnolia teammates, Calvin Abueva, Jia Jalalon and Ian Sangalang with June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez of San Miguel, James Yap of Blackwater, Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine, Nards Pinto of Ginebra, Cliff Hodge of Meralco, Juami Tiongson of Terrafirma, Jason Perkins of Phoenix, Jayson Castro of TNT, Robert Bolick of NLEX, and rookie Ricci Rivero of Phoenix. Tim Cone of Ginebra will coach Team Japeth while Jorge Gallent of San Miguel will call the shots for Team Mark. There will also be a three-point shootout for the big guys after the Slam Dunk Contest was scrapped due to injuries of the participants. The big men will include Mo Tautua of San Miguel, Isaac Go of Terrafirma, Brandon Bates, Keith Datu of Rain or Shine, Aris Dionisio of Magnolia, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser of TNT, Sean Anthony of NLEX, JM Calma of NorthPort, Keith Zaldivar of Converge, Ralph Cu of Ginebra and Perkins. Ano pa ginahulat ninyo, kadto ta sa Bacolod!
Another kenyan runner dies
Barely two weeks after world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum died in a car accident, another Kenyan marathoner Charles Kipsang Kipkorir, tragically passed away after collapsing in the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope. The 32-year Kipkorir fell to the ground minutes after crossing the finish line at the Moly Ko Stadium. The cause of death was unclear but doctors said it was a possible heart attack. Cameroonian Elvis Nasabinla overtook Kipkorir with just a few kilometers to win the race. This year was Kipkorir’s fourth participation in the Mt. Cameroon Race of Hope.