NCAA’s finest show wares Thursday

THERE will be an abundance of talent as the NCAA’s finest players take centerstage in the All-Star game today at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The midseason showcase features top players Jio Jalalon of Arellano University, Arthur dela Cruz of San Beda and Bright Akhuetie of Perpetual Help who will try to lead the East against a West squad headed by the Letran trio of Kevin Racal, Mark Cruz and Rey Nambatac.

With reigning MVP Earl Scottie Thompson of Perpetual Help begging off due to a back injury, all eyes will be on MVP contenders Jalalon, dela Cruz and Akhuetie.

Arellano’s Zach Nicholls, and Kent Salado, San Beda’s Ryusei Koga and Michole Sorela, San Sebastian’s Bradwyn Guinto, Jamil Ortuoste and Michael Calisaan, Jose Rizal’s Tey Teodoro, Abdul Razak Abdul Wahab and Jordan dela Paz and Perpetual Help’s Gab Dagangon complete the East squad.

John Ylagan has been tapped to take Thompson’s spot.

The West team will also pin its hopes on Lyceum’s Joseph Gabayni, Wilson Baltazar and Shaq Alanes, Mapua’s Allwell Oraeme, JP Nieles and Justin Serrano, St. Benilde’s Jonathan Grey, Pons Saavedra and Jeffrey Ongteco and Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Francis Munsayac, Sydney Onwubere and Christ Mejos.

The All-Star festivities start at 2 p.m. with the three-point shootout and the slam dunk competition.

Travis Jonson of St. Benilde will defend his shootout title while foreign imports—Americans Dioncee Holts of Arellano and Mustapha Yankie Haruna of College of St. Benilde, Nigerians Allwell Oraeme of Mapua and Prince Eze of Perpetual Help and Cameroonian Laminou Hamadou—banner a strong field in the slam dunk event.