Scottie, Japeth form teams

Captains Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar made big men Christian Standhardinger and June Mar Fajardo, respectively, their first selections as they filled up their teams for the revived PBA All-Star Game on March 12 in Passi, Iloilo. Season 46 MVP Thompson won the toss coin against Aguilar for the drafting held at the TV5 Studios yesterday, and quickly took the FilGerman bruiser Standhardinger to his side. Aguilar countered by picking six-time MVP Fajardo. Thompson and “Team Scottie” coach Yeng Guiao went on to surround their squad with explosive players CJ Perez, Calvin Abueva, Robert Bolick, Arvin Tolentino, Kevin Alas, Jayson Castro, Stanley Pringle, Marcio Lassiter, Mark Barroca and James Yap. Aguilar and “Team Japeth” mentor Tim Cone chose Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, RR Pogoy, LA Tenorio, Mikey Williams, Paul Lee, Jeremiah Gray, Gian Mamuyac, Nards Pinto and Terrence Romeo. This is the first time for the PBA to use this format, patterned after the NBA’s setup. A Rookies-Sophomore-Juniors game will serve as appetizer, featuring the Caloy Garciacoached “Team Stalwarts” against Richard del Rosario’s “Team Greats.” Garcia drafted Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser as No. 1 while Del Rosario tapped Justin Arana second overall. Rounding out “Team Stalwarts” are Calvin Oftana, Joshua Munzon, Encho Serrano, Anton Asistio, Tyler Tio, Shaun Ildefonso, Mike and Matt Nieto and Aris Dionisio. Completing “Team Greats” are Ato Ular, Aaron Black, Allyn Bulanadi, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Adrian Wong, Jerick Balanza, RK Ilagan, Javi Gomez de Liaño and Isaac Go.

Puerto Princesa City in Palawan will host the Philippine Table Tennis Federation Inc. (PTTF) national selection for this year’s Cambodia SEA Games from Feb. 22 to 26 at the Puerto Princesa Sports Complex. About 80 participants in the men’s and women’s divisions will vie for slots to the Philippine team. Shown during the launch are Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron (third from right), DepEd tournament manager Alfred Camacho, PTTF regional head Francis Nemenzo, PTTF sec-gen Pong Ducanes, PTTF president Ting Ledesma and Puerto Princesa sports director Atty. Rocky Austria.