Santos, Abueva among PBA All-Star reserves named to play Gilas
Arwind Santos of Petron (light) vs ryan Arana of Rain or Shine (dark). FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The PBA All-Star reserves, who will join starters Greg Slaugter, Chris Ellis and Mac Baracael of Barangay Ginebra and Mark Barroca and James Yap of San Mig Coffee in an exhibition game against Gilas Pilipinas as the highlight of the league’s annual festivities, have been named.
Reigning MVP Arwind Santos of San Miguel Beer leads the cast of reserves voted by coaches which include his teammate Marcio Lassiter, a pair of Mixers in Joe Devance and PJ Simon and a couple of Alaska players in Sonny Thoss and Calvin Abueva.
The PBA Select squad will take on the Nationals on April 6 at the Mall of Asia Arena in the final day of the All-Star showcase which also features a 3-point shootout, Slam Dunk contest, Skills challenge and a Greats vs Stalwarts match.
Chris Tiu of Rain or Shine will defend his 3-point title against fellow snipers Larry Fonacier (Talk ‘N Text), JVee Casio (Alaska), Ronjay Buenafe (Barako Bull), Mark Macapagal (Globalport), Gary David (Meralco), two-time MVP Yap and Lassiter.
Challenging Ellis for Slam Dunk crown will be the five-foot-10 rookie Justin Melton of San Mig Coffee, Ginebra teammate Japeth Aguilar, the high-leaping Rey Guevarra, Santos and second-year forwards Cliff Hodge and Abueva.
Competing in the Skills Challenge are defending champion Jonas Villanueva (Air21), LA Tenorio (Ginebra), Willie Miller (Barako Bull), Sol Mercado (San Miguel Beer), rookie Terrence Romeo (Globalport), Paul Lee (Rain or Shine), Jayson Castro (Talk ‘N Text), John Wilson (Meralco) and Barroca.
The game between the Greats and Stalwarts features current players teaming up with legends to make up the composition of both teams.
Hall-of-Famer Atoy Co will run the sidelines for the Greats as a playing coach. Joining Co are Freddie Abuda, a defensive specialist during his heyday, Vergel Meneses, Franz Pumaren, John Cardel, Guevarra, Romeo, Casio, Miller, Hodge and Villanueva.
The Stalwarts squad, under playing coach and legend Bogs Adornando, is composed of Dickie Bachman, Noli Locsin, Jeffrey Cariaso, Richard del Rosario, Melton, Buenafe, Tiu, Mercado, Cardona and Wilson.
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