PBA stars depart for Bora bash

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Basketball Association delegation starts leaving for Boracay today in batches for the staging of the 2011 Hala Bola! All Star Weekend slated May 18-22.

The main bulk, including the North and South All-Star teams, departs Manila via a Cebu Pacific flight to Kalibo, Aklan this morning.

Upon arrival in Kalibo, they pay a courtesy call to Gov. Carlito Marquez then motor to Caticlan, starting the All-Star activities with an autograph-signing session at the Jetty Port.

They then sail to Boracay, attending a welcome dinner prepared by Mayor John Yap.

The second wave of PBA stars, including participants in the skills events, leaves for Boracay tomorrow in time for the outreach programs in All-Star Week sponsored by Coca-Cola, Talk N’ Text, Meralco, Puma and Alta Vista Boracay.

The PBA board will be the last group to leave for the island paradise Friday. Commissioner Chito Salud, board chairman Rene Pardo and the other PBA governors will convene in a meeting Saturday.

Excitement and thrill have built up with only two days to go before the PBA stars bring their act to the Boracay festivities presented by Smart, Accel, Molten, Islander, Rain or Shine and Powerade.

The center of action is the Boracay Convention Center where the All-Star Game is set Sunday, ushered in by the All-Star side events and the Rookies vs Sophomore Blitz Game Friday.

The All-Star Game pitting the North stars and the South stars highlights the festivities with the former looking to repeat their 133-132 decision in Puerto Princesa, Palawan last year.

Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood, the All-Star MVP in Puerto, is back to lead North’s repeat quest.The other North starters are Derby Ace’s Marc Pingris and Kerby Raymundo and Ginebra’s Mark Caguioa and Willie Miller, and the reserves are Alaska’s LA Tenorio, Meralco’s Mark Cardona, Talk n Text’s Ranidel de Ocampo and Harvey Carey and San Miguel Beer’s Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot.

Calling the shots for the North squad is Ato Agustin.

Derby Ace’s James Yap, the player who drew the largest number of fan votes, banners the South team that includes other starters Jay Washington of SMB, Kelly Williams of TnT, Eric Menk of Ginebra and Cyrus Baguio of Alaska.

Coming off the bench for the South team of coach Chot Reyes are TnT’s Jimmy Alapag, Derby Ace’s PJ Simon, Meralco’s Asi Taulava, Air21’s Dondon Hontiveros and Danny Seigle, and Alaska’s Joe Devance and Sonny Thoss.

Williams, Norwood and Washington show their stuffs in the slamdunk contest versus JC Intal, Ronald Tubid, Elmer Espiritu and Rey Guevarra while Mark Macapagal takes at shot at a second straight three-point shootout title against a crack field including former winners Jimmy Alapag, Dondon Hontiveros and James Yap.

Also entered in the three-point shootout are Mark Cardona, Joe Devance,Ronald Tubid, Ronjay Buenafe and Sunday Salvacion. The top three in this event will challenge legends Alvin Patrimonio, Ato Agustin and Allan Caidicin a special shootout.

Vying for the Obstacle Challenge plum are title holder Jonas Villanueva, Alapag, Buenafe, Cabagnot, Miller, Tenorio, Chris Ross, Josh Urbiztondo and Gary David.

It will be the 22nd edition of the PBA All-Star Week since it was institutionalized in 1989. The Veterans squad then of coach Baby Dalupannipped the Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors team, 132-130.