Rey Guevarra, James Yap seek All-Star glory

PBA newbies take spotlight too

CALASIAO, Philippines  —  Skills champs Rey Guevarra and James Yap both seek a slice of history as the 2019 PBA All-Star festivities fire off with the All-Star today also highlighted by the first ever Rookies/Sophomores versus Juniors match tonight at the Calasiao Sports Complex here.

Guevarra will be out to tie KG Canaleta’s record as a five-time winner in the slam-dunk competition while Yap looks to become only the second player to rule the Three-Point Shootout at least thrice.

But both are up against a formidable field, just like Beau Belga in his title-retention quest in the Obstacle Challenge among big players.

Gilas top guns Marcio Lassiter, RR Pogoy and Matthew Wright lead the cast of challengers in the three-point shooting contest while former champ Chris Newsome and last year’s losing finalist Renz Palma are those contesting the reigning slam-dunk king.

Simon Enciso, Philip Paniamogan, Robert Bolick, Michael Digregorio, Kevin Ferrer, Rashawn McCarthy, Baser Amer and PJ Simon also compete in the shootout while Lervin Flores and CJ Perez join the aerial showdown.

Out to foil Belga’s title defense are Yousef Taha, Noy Baclao, Justin Chua, Marion Magat, Mo Tautuaa, Reymar Jose, Prince Caperal, Russell Escoto, Brian Faundo, June Mar Fajardo and Kyle Pascual.

The Obstacle Challenge, where players are tested in dribbling, passing and shooting, has been ruled by a Rain or Shine player in the last three years. Maverick Ahanmisi was the winner in 2016 and 2017 before Belga topped the inaugural competition among big men last year in Batangas City.

The Batangas event also saw Yap reclaiming the three-point title he first won in 2009, and Guevarra becoming a four-time slam-dunk champ following his three-year reign from 2014-16.

But the record still belongs to Canaleta, the sultan of slams in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2012.

Then there will be the battle for pride, prestige and bragging rights between the Rookies/Sophomores versus the Juniors.

The Juniors team is composed mostly of former Gilas cadets including Pogoy, Ferrer, Wright, Escoto, Mike Tolomia, Von Pessumal, Ed Daquioag, Jio Jalalon, Carl Bryan Cruz and Mac Belo. McCarthy and Rafael Banal complete the cast that will be handled by Phoenix Pulse assistant coach Topex Robinson.

Challenging them are Perez, Bolick, Jose, Abu Tratter, Jason Perkins, Paul Desiderio, Jeron Teng, Mark Tallo, Trevis Jackson, Rey Nambatac, Javee Mocon and Rob Herndon under the coaching staff of Rain or Shine.

Figuring in a duel of wits in the All-Star Game Sunday are first-time All-Star coaches Louie Alas of Phoenix and Caloy Garcia of Rain or Shine.

The first wave of the PBA delegation motored to this first-class Pangasinan municipality yesterday and kicked off their activities with a courtesy call on Mayor Joseph Bauzon, then meet-and-greet sessions with the fans at the Robinsons and CSI Mall.

PBA head of referees Bong Pascual conducts a referees clinic at the University of Luzon while coaches of Phoenix and Rain or Shine conduct separate clinics today, ahead of the All-Star Friday events at the Calasiao Sports Complex.