The North Division selection will dwarf their South Division counterparts when they clash in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season All-Star Game Presented by SiKAT at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum in Zamboanga City.
Heading the North team are 7-footer Greg Slaughter of Manila, 6-foot-8 Justine Baltazar, the reigning MVP of defending champion Pampanga; 6-7 Rabeh Al-Hussaini of Manila, 6-6 Jason Ballesteros of Quezon City, 6-5 Warren Bonifacio, 6-4 Robby Celiz of Pasay, 6-4 Will McAloney of Nueva Ecija and 6-4 Paul Sanga of Caloocan.
Completing the Northerners to be coached by Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda are 6-3 Rhinwill Yambing of Quezon City, 6-2 Archie Concepcion, 6-1 Michael Juico, 5-11 Laurenz Victoria of Pasay, 5-11 Carl Brian Lacap of Valenzuela, 5-9 Hesed Gabo of Pangasinan and 5-6 Orlan Wamar of San Juan.
The tallest Southerners are Larry Rodriguez of South Cotabato and Marc Pingris of Binan, both 6-foot-5, 6-4 Ximone Sandagon of Quezon, 6-3 Cedrick Ablaza of Batangas, 6-3 JP Sarao of Paranaque, and 6-3 Louie Vigil of Bacolod.
Completing the South squad to be coached by Quezon’s Eric Gonzales are 6-2 Kenny Roger Rocacurva of Binan, 6-1 Renz Palma of Negros, 6-1 Choi Ignacio of Zamboanga, 6-0 Mark Tallo of Davao, 5-11 Jhon Jerrick Caspe of Mindoro, 5-11 LJ Gonzales of Quezon, 5-11 Jielo Razon of Paranaque and 5-10 Judel Fuentes of Quezon.
The North, also coached by Pineda, beat the South 99-91, in the 2023 MPBL All-Star held at the Bataan People’s Center in Balanga.
Side events include a game between the North and South Executives of the 29 competing teams at 4 p.m., the slam dunk competition starting at 6 p.m. and the 3-point shootout, where Wamar will be defending his title, beginning at 7 p.m.
Wamar’s challengers include fellow San Juan star AC Soberano, Ryan Sual of Sarangani, Wendelin Comboy of Abra and actor Ronnie Alonte of Binan.
CJ Gania, who won last year’s dunkfest with Pampanga will be back for Negros this time. Out to dethrone Gania are Binan high-flyer Poypoy Actub, Yambing and 5 others.
MPBL Founder and CEO Manny Pacquiao will grace the event and will play in the Executives game.
