By REYNALD MAGALLON
PASSI CITY – After a three-year wait, the constellation of stars has finally descended to the beautiful province of Iloilo as the Ilonggos came out and expressed their warmest welcome to the PBA All-Star delegation on Thursday, March 9 here.
City Mayor Atty. Stephen Palmares led the warm reception, holding a lunch press conference at the Midway Freshmarket Restaurant after league officials headed by Commissioner Willie Marcial, along with the coaches and players of the Greats and Stalwarts teams paid a courtesy visit to his office.
The Ilonggos finally got the chance to meet their favorite PBA stars after initial plans to hold the All-Star event in Passi in 2019 was shelved due to the Covid-19 pandemic
They got to have a close encounter with PBA stars bannered by All-Star game captains Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson during a meet-and-greet at the City Mall and motorcade around the city which also happened to be celebrating its 25th foundation.
“Laking bagay talaga na yung PBA nandito sa Passi because No.1 it is our 25th founding anniversary so with the presence of the PBA. malaki talaga yung kontribusyon at maitutulong dito sa city namin to promote the Passi City not only in central Panay but in the entire country” said Palmares during the press conference.
He was joined by commissioner Marcial, Passi All Star project director Eric Castro, Department of Agriculture undersecretary Jesry Palmares, RSJ game coaches Caloy Garcia and Richard del Rosario along with Aguilar and Thompson during the event.
Grateful for the welcome, the PBA vowed to give the Ilonggo fans a treat starting with skill challenges on Friday at 3 p.m. before the much-anticipated RSJ game led by first picks Justin Arana for Team Greats and Brandon Ganuelas Rosser for Team Stalwarts at 6 p.m. at the City of Passi Arena.
Keeping the tradition from the past editions, big men are set to take the center stage in the obstacle challenge also led by Rosser and Arana, along with Beau Belga, Christian Standhardinger, and Raymond Almazan. Also participating in the event are JM Calma, Ato Ular, Joseph Gabayni, James Laput, Dave Marcelo, and Jeepy Faundo.
Three-point shootout participants, meanwhile, have the league’s top gunners in Kevin Alas, Tyler Tio, Jeremiah Gray, Gian Mamuyac, Marcio Lassiter, Jerrick Balanza, and Baser Amer. Completing the cast are Roger Pogoy, Aaron Black, Paul Lee, Arvin Tolentino and Juami Tiongson.
A sheer display of athleticism and creativity are expected in the Slam Dunk competition which will feature high leapers in Ganuelas-Rosser, David Murrell, Chris Lalata and Tyrus Hill.
