by Jean Malanum/PNA
MANILA — In an effort to bring basketball closer to the people, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and Senator Manny Pacquiao will stage the first-ever “MPBL All-Star Weekend” at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on March 2.
MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said no less than five events, including the centerpiece North versus South All-Star Game, will spice up the festivities aimed at bringing together the top players of the league, known as “Liga ng Bawat Pilipino”.
“This will be a one-of-a-kind MPBL treat. Ito ay magsisilbing pasasalamat na din ng MPBL, sa pamumuno ni Senator Pacquiao, sa lahat ng aming mga taga-tangkilik at taga-suporta ngayong ika-dalawang taon ng liga (This serves as an act of gratitude from the MPBL, led by Senator Pacquiao, to all our fans and supporters, especially now that the league is on its second year),” Duremdes said in a talk with sportswriters during the 11th TOPS’ “Usapang Sports” at the National Press Club in Intramuros.
As part of the treat, Pacquiao and the MPBL will give away a brand-new car, motorcycles and other prizes to the lucky fans during the MPBL All-Star Weekend.
“Lahat ay pwedeng manalo. Simple lang po ang gagawin natin. Manood ng laro at bumili ng tiket kahit magkano ang halaga at kasali na sa raffle sa mga premyong kaloob ni Senator Pacquiao (Everybody can win. It’s really simple. Watch a game, buy tickets of any price and you are included in the raffle where you can win prizes from Senator Pacquiao),” he explained.
Aside from the All-Star Game, the other events scheduled are the Slam Dunk Contest, Three-Point Shootout, 2-Ball Competition, and the Executive Match.
Duremdes said he has invited three PBA legends — Vergel “Aerial Voyager” Meneses, Paul “Mr. Excitement” Alvarez, and Nelson ”The Bull” Asaytono — to serve as judges in the Three-Point contest.
In the equally-exciting 2-Ball Competition, actor-player Gerald Anderson is expected to play.
Jojo Lastimosa of the Bataan Risers-Zetapro will coach the North All-Star while Don Dulay of the Davao Occidental Tigers-Cocolife will handle the South team.
Lastimosa and Dulay will be assisted by coaches, whose team will finish No. 2 at the end of the elimination round.
The final list of the All-Star teams will be announced at the end of the fan voting on Sunday.
“Like in the NBA, fans will vote for the starters of the North and South All Stars. The rest of the eight players will be chosen by the two coaches,” Duremdes said.
However, only one player per team will be able to make it to the 13-man roster to allow all teams to be represented during the game.
In case multiple players belonging to one team are voted, only the player with the highest number of votes from the same squad will be inserted in the line-up.
Among the players expected to play are Aris Dionisio of Manila, Gary David of Bataan, JR Taganas of Bulacan, Larry Rodriguez of San Juan, and Paolo Hubalde of Valenzuela for the North; and Allan Mangahas of Muntinlupa, Mark Yee of Davao Occidental, Jeff Viernes of Batangas, and Gab Banal of Bacoor for the South.
