Bolick, Perez headline ‘Saints vs Heroes’ clash

Two of the NCAA’s top players—Lyceum hotshot CJ Perez and Robert Bolick of San Beda—banner the squads that will square off in the NCAA All-Star Game on Friday, while San Beda marksman AC Soberano defends his Three-Point Shootout crown in the side events at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Perez, who has been instrumental to the Pirates’ impressive 9-0 start to the season, will spearhead Team Heroes, whose players will also be composed of standouts from Arellano, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Jose Rizal U and Mapua.

Team Saints, which features Bolick and San Beda teammates Jayvee Mocon and Davon Patts, will also be made up of stars from Letran, San Sebastian, St. Benilde and Perpetual Help.

The midseason showcase will also feature a skills challenge, the shooting stars event and a slam dunk contest, where PBA great Jimmy Alapag and Gilas cadet standout Ray Parks will be among the judges.

Soberano will defend his title against the league’s top marksmen, including Sidney Onwubere of EAC. Also in the contest are Letran’s Jerrick Balanza, Wilson Baltazar of Lyceum, RK Ilagan of San Sebastian, Brylle Meca of Arellano, Matt Johnson of St. Benilde, MJ Dela Virgen of JRU, Almel Orquina of Mapua and Jack Hao of Perpetual Help.

Perez will be joined by fellow Pirates MJ Ayaay and Mike Nzeusseu in Team Heroes, which will be coached by Topex Robinson. Also part of the squad are Allen Enriquez, Lervin Flores, and Kent Salado of Arellano; Jerome Garcia, Francis Munsayac, and Onwubere of EAC; Ervin Grospe, Jed Mendoza, and Teytey Teodoro of JRU; and Christian Bunag, JB Raflores and Laurenz Victoria of Mapua.

St. Benilde standouts Edward Dixon, JJ Domingo, and Gerard Castor are also part of Team Saints, along with Letran’s JP Calvo, Rey Nambatac, and Bong Quinto, Perpetual Help’s Gab Dagangon, Prince Eze, and GJ Ylagan, and San Sebastian’s Alvin Baetiong, Kevin Baytan, and Ian Valdez. San Beda’s Boyet Fernandez will coach Team Saints.

Leading the cast in the slam dunk contest are Lervin Flores of Arellano, Arnaud Noah of San Beda, Renato Ular of Letran, Allyn Bulanadi of San Sebastian and many more.