Magnolia big man Aris Dionisio.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Magnolia’s Aris Dionisio was selected to replace injured Barangay Ginebra standout Scottie Thompson for Sunday’s PBA All-Star Game in Bacolod City.
The league made the announcement Tuesday as the Hotshots big man emerged as a surprise inclusion despite playing a backup role in coach Chito Victolero’s rotation.
Dionisio will fill Thompson’s slot for Team Japeth, which a few days earlier got TNT’s RR Pogoy to replace the ailing Tyler Tio of Phoenix.
Thompson pulled out of the exhibition classic due to a nagging injury, but is expected to join the PBA contingent in The City of Smiles for the festivities.
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It is unsure how Dionisio got the nod, but the league allowed fans to vote 24 players for the game, with coaches and media taking part in filling four additional slots.
The College of St. Clare is not among the league’s marquee names but has been a key contributor on both ends for the Hotshots since his PBA entry in 2019.
Meanwhile, James Laput will take the place of Dionisio as Magnolia’s representative in the big man version of the three-point shootout slated Saturday at Bacolod’s University of St. La Salle Gym.