All Stars ready for road show

All is set for the staging of the 2004 PBA All-Star Week in Cebu with a part of the over-a-hundred-strong PBA delegation flying to the premier Visayan province today for the start of festivities to be participated in by Gov. Gwen Garcia tomorrow.

PBA commssioner Noli Eala said they will give true meaning to the All-Star Week, promising a weeklong spectacle that would underscore the league’s new-look and its continuing program to reach out to the fans.

Eala said it will be seven days of fun and excitement for the Cebuano PBA fans as they hold numerous activities in various venues highlighted by the All-Star Game on Sunday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The South team composed of Eric Menk, Asi Taulava, Kenneth Duremdes, Jimmy Alapag, James Yap, Junthy Valenzuela, Dondon Hontiveros, Sonny Thoss, Ronald Tubid, John Ferriols, Jun Limpot and Dale Singson could enjoy a sort of homecourt advantage versus the North squad made up of Vergel Meneses, Romel Adducul, Rich Alvarez, Olsen Racela, Paul Artadi, Willie Miller, Mark Caguioa, Enrico Villanueva, Rudy Hatfield, Davonn Harp, Ali Peek and Tony dela Cruz.

All-Star activities are set as well in several schools, colleges, bars and other sports venues as the league intends total interaction between its stars and the Cebuano fans.

The Cebuanos will have a chance to mingle with their favorite players during the four-hour Fans Day at the SM City Parking Lot starting at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Then All-Star action finally unfolds with the staging of the skills events at the Mandaue Sports Complex at 4 p.m. on the same day.

Participants in the skills events, led by titleholders Alapag (three-point shootout), Brandon Cablay (slam dunk) and Rob Johnson (obstacle course), serve as the PBA entourage’s advance party as they fly to Cebu tomorrow.

They attend Kids Day celebrations at Don Bosco Technical School, Vicente Sotto School and Cebu City Street Children Foundation upon their arrival before making a courtesy call on Gov. Garcia.