PBA All-Star: Players challenge coaches to join dance-off

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

One of the most interesting subplots in the 2016 PBA All-Star Weekend is the dance-off between the North and South teams.

And this year, it’s no different as the stars come out of their comfort zone and bust their moves before the star-studded exhibition game.

Expected to lead for the South is Joe Devance, who’s had a number of memorable routines in his past All-Star appearances.

But the Ginebra forward shared: “I don’t have anything planned yet. We’ll talk with the rests of the guys and get some great ideas.”

“I know James (Yap) is a great dancer, Asi (Taulava) is a great dancer. There are guys here who are great dancers,” he said during Thursday’s All-Star Weekend press conference.

The South All-Stars won last year’s contest despite falling to the North All-Stars, 166-161 in the All-Star Game in Puerto Princesa last year.

But quick to rebuke was North’s Mark Caguioa, who pitched, “Baka mag-iba na kami ngayon. Instead na dance off, baka we’re going to sing na lang. Singer si Terrence (Romeo) eh.”

Teammate Marc Pingris agreed, saying, “Nung nasa Gilas kami, ang galing kumanta nyan,” further putting the GlobalPort scorer in the spotlight.

Though Pingris initially urged Romeo to give a sample, the energetic Star forward changed his mind and said, “Wag na lang pala, baka ma-scout nila.”

Devance, with the blessing of South teammate Asi Taulava, gave another proposal.

“This is a rule I just made right now. The coaches are both going to be on the dance as well. If they don’t, they will be fined. Right, commissioner?,” he said, looking at PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa as the room burst into laughter.

Pingris seemingly agrees, but with a catch. “Kailangan taasan nila yung premyo,” he said.

A P100,000 cash prize awaits the winning team in the dance-off, and could even go higher if Devance and Pingris’ proposal pushes through.

PBA chairman Robert Non implied that he’s game to up the ante, as he quipped, “Madali naman tayo kausap eh.”

One thing’s for sure, though. It’s going to be a wild and crazy Sunday when the All-Stars converge at Smart Araneta Coliseum.