Stronger next time
After shouldering scoring chores for the national team, Calvin Abueva (left) shifts to do duty for the Luzon All-Stars. —PBA IMAGES
The Smart National Team dropped the first of three duels against a PBA Mindanao All-Star Team on Wednesday night in Digos City, but one of the stars of the winning team believes Gilas Pilipinas will only get better in their next two outings.
“I’m sure they’re not going to lose their next two games,” said Mark Barroca, after scoring 20 points in the Mindanao All-Stars’ 144-130 conquest of the Smart All-Stars at Davao Del Sur Coliseum. “They were just complacent. They are a very strong team.”
It will be the PBA Luzon All-Stars turn to test the national team at Batangas Coliseum in Batangas City on Friday night with Gilas stalwarts Japeth Aguilar, Calvin Abueva, Jayson Castro and Matthew Wright switching to the PBA side this time.
The nationals welcome Jio Jalalon and Mac Belo back in the fold after the duo played for Mindanao on Wednesday night. Completing the squad that will be handled by coach Yeng Guiao are June Mar Fajardo, Carl Bryan Cruz, Allein Maliksi, Terrence Romeo, Gabe Norwood and Kiefer Ravena.
The Luzon team also features LA Tenorio, Paul Lee, Stanley Pringle, Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos, Ian Sangalang and Raymond Almazan.
The All-Star skills competitions—the three-point shootout, the slam dunk and obstacle challenge—are also on tap on Friday night with former MVP winner Asi Taulava leading the big men vying in the Obstacle Challenge.
Sonny Thoss, Raymond Aguilar, JP Erram, Kelly Nabong, Russell Escoto, Ken Bono, Justin Chua, Aldrech Ramos, Beau Belga, Gabby Espinas and Yousef Taha are also entered in the event.
Maliksi defends his three-point shootout crown against a strong field that includes former champs Romeo and James Yap and Marcio Lassiter. Lee, Wright, Tenorio, Pringle, Alaska’s Jvee Casio, Columbian Dyip’s Ronald Tubid, Meralco’s KG Canaleta and NLEX’s Larry Fonacier are also entered in the shootout.
Chris Newsome guns for another slam dunk crown against former champ Rey Guevarra and challengers Mat Rosser, Marion Magat, Renz Palma and Lervin Flores.
