NCAA stars headline All-Star showdown
ROBERT BOLICK and Bong Quinto are tabbed to lead the Saints against the C J Perezless Heroes in the Season 94 National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA) All- Star Game today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Game time is at 4 p. m., with the All- Star side events Skills Challenge, Shooting Stars, Three- point Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest starting at 2 p. m.
Bolick of San Beda University and Quinto of Colegio de San Juan de Letran recently shared the NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week award— the first time in recent memory that sports scribes gave the weekly honors to two players— for their astounding performances.
The Red Lions’ 6- foot- 1 main man dropped a career- high 50 points in a 98- 79 win over Arellano University last week. It was the second- best scoring output in NCAA history next to Lim Eng Beng’s 55 points in 1974.
The Knights’ veteran forward, meanwhile, churned out backtoback triple- double numbers in their victories over Mapua University and Emilio Aguinaldo College ( EAC) — replicating the feats of now- PBA stars Calvin Abueva, Scottie Thompson and Jio Jalalon when they were playing in the oldest collegiate league.
Bolick and Quinto will spearhead the fight for the Saints along with their teammates Javee Mocon and Radge Tongco of San Beda and JP Calvo and Christian Fajarito of Letran.
Also included in the Saints’ roster are Edward Dixon, JJ Domingo and Luigi Velasco of College of St. Benilde, Michael Calisaan, Allyn Bulanadi and Alvin Capobres of San Sebastian College- Recoletos and AJ Coronel, Kim Aurin and Jielo Razon of University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
Aurin and Razon replaced Nigerian center Prince Eze and playmaker Edgar Charcos.
On the other side, Lyceum of the Philippine University’s sensational twins Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino will take charge of the Heroes as reigning Most Valuable Player Perez was not injected into the lineup.
Backstopping the Marcelino brothers are Kim Cinco of Lyceum, Levi Dela Cruz, Michael Cañete and Ian Alban of Arellano, Jerome Garcia, Juju Bautista and Jeric Diego of EAC, Laurenz Victoria, Ced Pelayo and Warren Bonifacio of Mapua and Jed Mendoza, Richard David and Karl Bordon of Jose Rizal University ( JRU).
San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez will guide the Saints while Lyceum mentor Topex Robinson will call the shots for the Heroes.
Last year, Fernandez’s Saints beat Robinson’s Heroes, 84- 80, behind the clutch performance of eventual All- Star MVP Eze.
Former league stalwarts turned PBA sensations Jalalon ( from Arellano), Rey Nambatac ( from Letran) and John Wilson ( from JRU) will grace the All- Star day as they help their almae matres in the Shooting Stars competition.
The All- Star festivities are aimed at generating funds for NCAA athletes playing in national teams and the league’s charitable missions.