PBA All-Star Weekend in Davao postponed due to ‘security concerns’

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial during the league’s golden anniversary.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–The PBA on Wednesday announced that it is postponing the upcoming All-Star Weekend originally slated in the first week of May in Davao.

Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed the decision during the Philippine Cup doubleheader at Smart Araneta Coliseum, citing “security concerns” as the main reason why the annual classic had to be put on hold.

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Marcial added that the league is looking at either moving the event to a city in Visayas that had previously hosted the All-Star Weekend or cancel the event altogether, depending on the discussions in the next two to three weeks.

He didn’t disclose the potential replacement.

Davao was supposed to have the All-Star Weekend on May 2 to 4, with the return of the old Veterans against Rookies Sophomores and Juniors format.

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There were also plans to hold a side-event pitting a game featuring players who are from Mindanao.

Davao had hosted the event twice back in 2013 with the Gilas Pilipinas against PBA All-Stars in Davao City that ended in a draw and the first leg of a three-game series pitting the Smart All-Stars and Mindanao All-Stars in 2018 in Digos.

No All-Star Games were held in 2002 and in 2020 and 2021-22 seasons, the latter two due to the pandemic.