Passi City—It’s going to be an entertaining, but competitive PBA All-Star game that’s in store for the fans this weekend.
Coaches of Team Greats and Team Stalwarts both vowed to give each other a good fight as they serve as front act for the All-Star Weekend that returns to the scene after a three-year absence starting on Friday at the City Of Passi Arena.
Team Stalwarts coach Caloy Garcia said he’ll make sure his players led by Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser will not turn their game against Team Greats into a virtual shootout, as he puts an emphasis on making things more competitive in the 5:45 p.m. match up.
“We just want to have fun, and at the same time, we want to compete,” said Garcia during the press conference that followed the arrival of the main bulk of the All-Star delegation on Thursday in this city located in the heart of Panay.
“We’re going to make sure that you will get your money’s worth, and we’ll make the players know that it’s not about them. It’s about the fans this time,” added Team Greats’ coach Richard Del Rosario, whose roster will be bannered by no. 2 pick Justin Arana.
The game features Rookie, Sophomore, and Junior players voted by fans and divided into two teams.
The main All-Star game meanwhile, pits Team Scottie against Team Japeth, whose players will play not only for bragging rights, but for a certain amount of prize money as well in the showcase that revised its format for this year.
“Naglagay kami ng kaunting prize money para hindi lang puro kantiyawan,” said commissioner Willie Marcial.
Preceding Team Greats vs. Team Stalwarts is the Skills Challenge that features the Obstacle Course, Three-Point Shootout, and the Slam Dunk contest.
The All-Star Weekend hosting comes as Passi celebrates the 25th year of its cityhood, according to Mayor Stephen Palmares, who was joined in the media presentation by Department of Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Jesry Palmares.
Passi was supposed to stage the All-Star in 2020, but was later called off when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
“I’m just happy that God gave us another chance,” said the undersecretary, who was mayor of the city back then when the All-Star hosting was first conceived.