The PBA formally kicks off its All-Star Week today with a series of activities in Cagayan de Oro City, the host of the first of three games pitting some of the league’s best players against members of Gilas Pilipinas.
A courtesy call on Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno starts the festivities following the arrival of the PBA delegation through two morning Philippine Airlines flights followed by a meet-and-greet session at the Centrio Mall.
Star Hotshots coach Chito Victolero will host a basketball clinic on Wednesday before coaching the Mindanao All-Stars against Gilas at the Xavier University gym. Before the game, Mindanao-born players Cyrus Baguio, Glenn Khobuntin and Jio Jalalon take part in the Shooting Stars contest.
They will then play for the Mindanao selection alongside Troy Rosario, Mark Barroca, Scottie Thompson, PJ Simon, Rafi Reavis, Mo Tautuaa, Sonny Thoss, Carlo Lastimosa and Baser Amer for the match against Gilas, which is using the game as part of its preparation for next month’s SEABA Championship.
Leading the Gilas team under coach Chot Reyes are June Mar Fajardo, Terrence Romeo, LA Revilla, Mike Tolomia, RR Pogoy, Matthew Wright, Kevin Ferrer, Carl Bryan Cruz, Alfonso Gotladera and Bradwyn Guinto.
“I’m happy and excited to be playing the first leg of the PBA All-Star Week here in Cagayan de Oro. The people of CDO have been a very generous host to the PBA in all its undertaking. They deserve nothing but the best and I guarantee they will have a wonderful time watching their own battle against Gilas Pilipinas,” said PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa.
Following the Cagayan de Oro City leg of the All-Star Week, the delegation will head to Lucena City for Friday’s game between Gilas and the Luzon selection before going to Cebu for Sunday’s match pitting Gilas and the Visayas team.
The All-Star activities are sponsored by HMR Trading, Mueller, Peak, Crystal Clear, Anako, Davco, Smart, Cloudfone and Petron.
