PBA All-Star to revert to old format

Despite the success of the three-leg PBA All-Star series the last two years, the PBA is shifting back to its old one All-Star Game format in 2019.

The All-Star series brings joy, thrill and excitement to a lot more PBA fans, but the current format has proved too taxing that it has put the players’ health at risk.

“We make a lot more people happy, but it takes a lot of sacrifice from our people. We slept only a few hours as we traveled from one place to another, then we had to attend various activities outside the All-Star Game,” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

“Just the passion of our players and people for the game and for their work kept them going, and I have to commend them for that,” Marcial added.

Before trying the three-game series in an effort to help Gilas Pilipinas in its buildup for an international sortie, the PBA All Stars has always been a one-game affair except in 1998 and in 2009 when the national team was also featured in a series.

“We’re all happy with the result of the 2017 All Stars that’s why we said let’s go for a three-game series again this year. But it’s really tough for our players and our people,” said Marcial. “Okay pa siguro if we play three games with the first one on Monday, the next on Thursday and the finale on Sunday.”

But it’s three games plus various outreach programs spread only over five days.

Players playing in each of the three games in Digos, Davao del Sur, in Batangas City and in Iloilo were Gilas players Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Jio Jalalon, Matthew Wright, Gabe Norwood and Jayson Castro.

Carl Bryan Cruz missed all three games due to an injury, Allein Malicsi missed the Iloilo game as he got hurt in Batangas, Troy Rosario and RR Pogoy skipped the Digos match while Kiefer Ravena was pulled out from the Iloilo game.

Romeo stood out in the series with his winning participation in the Legends Shootout in Digos, his record 48-point MVP showing in Batangas and his 27-point effort in Iloilo.

Gilas struggled with limited personnel, dropping its games against PBA Mindanao, 130-144, in Digos and against PBA Visayas, 141-157, in Iloilo (141-157).

The Nationals scored a lone win over PBA Luzon, 152-149, largely behind Romeo’s 48-point explosion.

Baser Amer, Romeo and Jeff Chan bagged MVP honors in Digos, Batangas and Iloilo, respectively.