Big men take on Obstacle Challenge in 2018 PBA All-Star week

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Unconventional will be the trend when the 2018 PBA All-Star Week rolls on this May as frontcourt players take over the Obstacle Challenge.

Former league MVP Asi Taulava of NLEX and his fellow behemoths will have the chance to showcase their dribbling, passing, and shooting skills as big men replace the usual court generals in the side event in the annual midseason extravaganza.

Also joining him in the field are Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga, Alaska’s Sonny Thoss, Blackwater’s JP Erram, Magnolia’s Aldrech Ramos, GlobalPort’s Kelly Nabong, Phoenix’s Doug Kramer, Columbian’s Russell Escoto, TNT’s Yousef Taha, San Miguel’s Yancy de Ocampo, Meralco’s Ken Bono, and Ginebra’s Raymond Aguilar.

Last year, Maverick Ahanmisi ruled the event, besting Alex Cabagnot and Emman Monfort in the Finals.

Meanwhile, reigning king Allein Maliksi of Blackwater will have a tough field out to dethrone him as the league’s best snipers participate in the Three-Point Shootout.

Last season’s runner-up LA Tenorio of Ginebra and 2016 champion Terrence Romeo of TNT are back to stake their claim for the title, as well as the return of 2009 champion James Yap of Rain or Shine.

Also part of the stacked field are San Miguel’s Marcio Lassiter, Magnolia’s Paul Lee, Phoenix’s Matthew Wright, GlobalPort’s Stanley Pringle, NLEX’s Larry Fonacier, Meralco’s Garvo Lanete, Columbian’s Ronald Tubid, and Alaska’s Casio.

The skills competitions will be held in the All-Star Week’s second leg at Batangas City Coliseum on May 25, serving as the curtain-raiser for the duel between Gilas Pilipinas and the Luzon All-Stars.

Mindanao All-Stars will first test the mettle of the national team in Digos, Davao del Sur on May 23, before the Visayas All-Stars face off against the Nationals in Ilo-ilo on May 27.