PBA stars descend in Passi  

CITY OF PASSI, Iloilo, Philippines — From the veterans to the first-timers, players arrived in “The Sweet City at the heart of Panay” filled with excitement for the first PBA All Star festivities in pandemic times.

Top vote getters and team captains Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson lead the enthusiastic contingent from Manila set for a bevy of activities for the next four days here highlighted by the All-Star Game on Sunday.

“Napakainit ng pagtanggap sa amin and we’re very happy to be here, very excited and hopefully mapasaya namin lahat sa All-Star event na ito,” Aguilar said during yesterday’s presscon with Thompson, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro, City of Passi Mayor Stephen Palmares and Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Jesry Palmares.

“This one’s very special for us kasi after ng pandemic babalik uli ang laro. I think ito ang pinaka-start ulit and tuloy-tuloy na ang All-Star simula dito sa Passi. Special sa amin na mabigyan ng magandang entertainment ang mga taga-Passi,” said Thompson.

Activities kick off today at 3 p.m. at the City of Passi Arena (COPA) with the Skills Challenge program – Slam Dunk Contest, Obstacle Challenge and 3-Point Shootout.

At 5 p.m., the league’s top rookies, sophomores and juniors take centerstage for the Team Stalwarts versus Team Greats game.

Season 47 top rookie draft pick Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Gilas mainstay Calvin Oftana, high-flying Encho Serrano and sweet-shooting Tyler Tio banner the Caloy Garcia-coached Stalwarts.

Justin Arana, Ato Ular, Aaron Black, RK Ilagan and Jerrick Balanza headline the Greats under coach Richard del Rosario.

“The RSJ teams are very excited na magpakilala sa mga fans and I’m sure they’re going to give it their all, their best, to show good entertainment para masuklian ang mainit na pagtanggap dito,” said Del Rosario.

“We want to have fun, at the same time, we have to compete; we don’t want iyong pinababayaan lang sa depensa,” said Garcia.

Aside from the games, the PBA All Stars are scheduled for Meet-and-Greet activities with fans, basketball clinics, barangay visit, and school visit and turnover of donations at Passi One Elementary School.