PBA Deputy Comm. Eric Castro, Japeth Aguilar, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial , Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez, Mark Barroca and Coach Jorge Gallent. –PBA IMAGES
BACOLOD CITY—Japeth Aguilar and Mark Barroca vowed to give fans a treat by making Sunday’s PBA All-Star Game here as competitive as possible.
The captains of the teams set to play in the exhibition classic at University of St. La Salle Coliseum will be eyeing no less than a victory, especially Aguilar and his Team Japeth which ruled last year’s edition in Passi City, Iloilo.
“We’re eager to repeat what we had done last year, even if we’re facing a different team and a different coach this time,” Aguilar said in Filipino during a press conference held in this city.
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Aguilar didn’t see action but saw Team Japeth take down Team Scottie, 140-136, with Magnolia’s Paul Lee emerging as the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Lee is back to play along with Aguilar, but will be missing Thompson and Christian Standhardinger after pulling out due to injury and illness.
Barroca and his Team Mark will look to capitalize on Aguilar’s concern of roster imbalance and pull out a win in the league’s first All-Star Game in The City of Smiles since 2008.
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“Of course we want to give our best and we want to compete at the highest level,” Barroca said in Filipino. “We also want to make this All-Star Game in Bacolod special for the fans.”
Barroca will have San Miguel Beer’s Jorge Gallent calling the shots while Ginebra’s Tim Cone is joining Aguilar’s team as coach.
Calvin Oftana, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Don Trollano, Marcio Lassiter, Arvin Tolentino, Maverick Ahanmisi, Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo make up Team Japeth’s roster, with RR Pogoy and Aris Dionisio serving as late replacements.
Team Mark has June Mar Fajardo, Jason Perkins, CJ Perez, Robert Bolick, Jio Jalalon, Ian Sangalang, James Yap, Calvin Abueva, Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, Ricci Rivero, Cliff Hodge, Juami Tiongson and Nards Pinto.
The PBA contingent arrived Thursday morning from Manila and took part in a lunch hosted by the Bacolod City government and meet-and-greet activities in various establishments.