Nat’l cagers to boost All-Star

Members of the national team, headed by Talk n Text’s Asi Taulava and the popular Ginebra duo of Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand, will see action in the PBA All-Star Weekend, giving the fans the rare chance to watch the league’s superstars play once again.

The Nationals were pulled out from their respective mother units for the entire Talk ‘N Text-PBA Philippine Cup as they train for the South East Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Championship in Thailand and the FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifying tournament in Japan.

The RP team is currently in the US for a two-week training and will be back in time for the All-Star slated April 25-29 in Baguio City and La Union.

The other national team members are Jimmy Alapag, RenRen Ritualo, Danny Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros, Tony dela Cruz, Mick Pennisi, Ranidel de Ocampo and Kerby Raymundo.

Preparations for the five-day event are now being undertaken by the host provinces to ensure another smashing success of the All-Star festivities.

Baguio City will be staging the All-Star game – the main fare of the weekend activities – and the exciting three-point shootout and the slam dunk contest while La Union will host the Blitz Game and the skills challenge.

"Baguio City and San Fernando, La Union hosting the PBA All-Star caravan this summer is simply perfect, the two provinces having been known not only for their passion for basketball, but also as favorite destinations of many during this time of the season," said commissioner Noli Eala.

"So we’re expecting the All-Star festivities to be another major hit this year."

Fan voting for the starting units of both the North and South squads is still ongoing but the PBA will be announcing the results of the poll, done through actual voting at the different game venues, internet and SMS, early next month.