MANILA — The Smart All-Star National Team will try to bounce back from a stinging defeat Wednesday as it takes on the Luzon All-Stars in the second leg of the PBA All-Star Week at the Batangas City Sports Center on Friday night.
After losing steam in the final quarter of its match-up against the Mindanao All-Stars in Digos, the national team pool will now go up against the league’s best guys from Luzon in the 7 p.m. tip-off.
Mac Belo and Jio Jalalon, who played for Mindanao on Wednesday night, will now don the national team colors on Friday night, joining June Mar Fajardo, Carl Bryan Cruz, Mac Belo, Allein Maliksi, Terrence Romeo, Gabe Norwood, and Kiefer Ravena.
However, Japeth Aguilar, Calvin Abueva, Jayson Castro, and Matt Wright, who were with the Smart All-Stars, will join the opposing side together with LA Tenorio, Paul Lee, Stanley Pringle, Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos, Ian Sangalang, and Raymond Almazan.
The side events of the PBA All-Star Week will also commence on Friday night beginning at 4:30 p.m.
In a special edition, the league’s top big men will try to run against time in the obstacle challenge.
On the other hand, Maliksi will try to defend his three-point shootout title against erstwhile champs Romeo and James Yap among others.
Finally, the main highlight of the side events, the slam dunk contest, will take place featuring defending champ Chris Newsome and former winner Rey Guevarra. (Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA)
