SIDE EVENTS TAKE LID OFF OF ALL-STAR WEEK IN CALASIAO
The core of the past Gilas Pilipinas Cadets program tests the mettle of today’s PBA young guns to make for an intriguing storyline in this week’s PBA All-Star festivity.
The Juniors team led by Mac Belo and Roger Pogoy goes up against the combined Rookies/Sophomores selection of CJ Perez and Jason Perkins in the main appetizer of this year’s All-Star game in Calasiao, Pangasinan.
The match is set at 7 p.m. on Friday at Calasiao Sports Complex following the Skills Challenge side events that feature the Obstacle Race, ThreePoint Shootout, and Slam Dunk contest.
Belo and Pogoy led the Cadets training pool that made up the highly talented 2016 batch of the PBA Draft.
Joining them in the Juniors squad are Matthew Wright, Jio Jalalon, Carl Bryan Cruz, Kevin Ferrer, Russel Escoto, Ed Daquioag, Mike Tolomia, Von Pessumal, Rashawn McCarthy and Ael Banal.
Only McCarthy and Banal were not part of the Gilas Cadets program.
Meanwhile, with Perkins and Perez in the Rookies/Sophomores are Jeron Teng, Raymar Jose, Rey Nambatac, Robbie Herndon, Mark Tallo, Robert Bolick, Abu Tratter, Paul Desiderio, Trevis Jackson, and Javee Mocon.
Phoenix lead deputy Topex Robinson will call the shots for the Juniors, while the coaching staff of Rain or Shine handles the Rookies/Sophomores unit.
Shortly before the game, the Obstacle Race kicks off the All-Star side event, with Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga gunning for back-to-back titles.
Out to stop Belga are June Mar Fajardo (San Miguel), Moala Tautuaa (NorthPort), Kyle Pascual (Magnolia), Jose (Blackwater), Noy Baclao (Alaska), Marion Magat (NLEX), Prince Caperal (Barangay Ginebra), Bryan Faundo (Meralco), Yousef Taha (TnT Katropa), Escoto (Columbian Dyip) and Justin Chua (Phoenix).
The Obstacle Challenge was reserved for small men in the past, with the league thinking of a way to make it interesting by letting the frontliners compete.
James Yap, also of Rain or Shine, shoots to retain his Three-Point Shootout title against some of the league’s finest marksmen led by Marcio Lassiter (San Miguel), Pogoy (TnT Katropa), Wright (Phoenix) and Mike DiGregorio (Blackwater).