All Stars raring to inspire kids, wow fans
BACOLOD CITY – There’s an air of nostalgia as captains Mark Barroca and Japeth Aguilar led the entourage that arrived here yesterday for the weekend’s PBA All Star festivities.
For Barroca and Aguilar, this gig brings back memories of their unforgettable first trips to the City of Smiles decades ago as collegiate players and with it, an intense desire to make the next three days even more special.
“Special sa akin ’to kasi last na pumunta ako dito 2009, FEU days, Unigames, nag-champion kami,” Barroca shared during a presscon with Aguilar, Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez, Team Mark coach Jorge Gallent, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and deputy commissioner Eric Castro.
“Sobrang tagal na rin bago ako nakabalik at ngayon All Stars, gusto ko gawin naming mas special para sa fans. Sabi nga namin nila coach (Jorge Gallent), i-treat namin itong game na parang regular game, palitan ng galing, showcase natin para sa mga tao rito. At sabi nga ni Mayor para maka-inspire ng mga bata,” he added. Aguilar waited even longer. “Last time na andito ako, 2004 pa with Ateneo (also in the Unigames). But ever since noon, I was looking forward to going back here,” said Aguilar, who shared that it was his first time to travel by plane then and also his first exposure to a cuisine other than the familiar Kapampangan dishes.
“After a long while, nakabalik. And immediately paglapag pa lang namin, we’re greeted by the wonderful and beautiful people of Bacolod; City of Smiles talaga. “Very important event ito para sa PBA para makapag-give back sa mga fans and para magbigay kami ng magandang show para sa mga fans,” he added.
It’s an emotional trip, too, for Gallent, who’s making his All Star coaching debut in the Team Mark versus Team Japeth extravaganza on Sunday at the University of St. La Salle.
“It’s a really great blessing for me at the start of the year. I just hope it continues like that. After winning the championship (in the Commissioner’s Cup for San Miguel), I’m coaching the All Star so (I’m) very happy about that, ” said Gallent, who is pitted against Tim Cone of Team Japeth.
“I would like to thank the fans for bringing me here. We will try to win the game and try to be competitive on Sunday,” he added.
Before that highlight game, there will be a series of activities happening in the next two days.
Today’s itinerary includes a referees clinic and basketball clinic at Barangay Villamonte, a visit at the Negros Occidental High School and mall tours at Ayala and SM malls.
Tomorrow, representatives from each team engage in a battle of skills in the Obstacle Challenge competition and separate Three-Point Contests for Big Men and Guards afterwhich the top rookies, sophomores and juniors face off in the Team Great versus Team Stalwarts game.