Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 78
YAP, CAGUIOA AND CO. SIZE UP GILAS PILIPINAS
Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 153
Warning: Undefined variable $nocontent in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 236
Warning: Undefined variable $iscovid in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 239
Warning: Undefined variable $FEAT_STORIES in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 685
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 688
Warning: Undefined array key 0 in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 730
DAVAO CITY – The 2013 PBA All-Star Week reaches its climax with the staging of the All-Star Game – the initial showcase of Gilas Pilipinas and a match featuring stars James Yap and Mark Caguioa in one team together for the first time ever.
Calvin Abueva, Arwind Santos, Chris Ellis, KG Canaleta, Alex Cabagnot, Jay Washington, Cyrus Baguio, Jayvee Casio, Marcio Lassiter and Beau Belga will be with Yap and Caguioa forming the PBA select team that challenges the Nationals in the centerpiece event of the All-Star festivities Sunday at the Davao del Sur Coliseum in Digos City.
Flag and country is the theme of this year’s PBA All-Star Game, but don’t expect it to be just the show of the national team.
If the objective is to provide Gilas Pilipinas some competition, members of the PBA select team promise to step up and do the job.
“Basketball game pa rin yan, and as a basketball player, we’ll fight for pride. Di kami basta-basta lang magpapatalo dyan,” said Santos.
“Pasensyahan na lang, gagawin namin ang trabaho namin,” said Beau Belga, a Rain or Shine enforcer hinting at going hard against the Nationals.
“We’ll try to win this and it’s going to be a good game,” said Baguio.
“It’s just an exhibition game but the competition will be there. This is to help the national team in its training and, at the same time, a good game for the fans to enjoy,” said Casio.
National coach Chot Reyes welcomes the pronouncements of the PBA stars.
“Nabasa ko yong mga sinabi nila na gusto nila kaming tulungan in our training. I’m appreciative of that,” said Reyes, really looking for a competitive match that can jumpstart their training for the FIBA Asia Championship in August.
The Nationals play their very first game three months after its formation and three months before going to war in the Asian meet that the country hosts at the Mall of Asia Arena and at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The question is how the PBA stars match up with Gilas Pilipinas size wise, in particular with 6-foot-11 naturalized player Marcus Douthit.
Jason Castro, Jimmy Alapag, Larry Fonacier, Ranidel De Ocampo, Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan, Japeth Aguilar, Gary David, June Mar Fajardo, LA Tenorio, Marc Pingris and Sonny Thoss are the others making the Gilas team here.
Ryan Reyes and Greg Slaughter are absent due to an injury and studies, respectively.
Without the benefit of a single practice, the PBA stars are likely to engage the Nationals in a freewheeling, run-and-gun battle.
The bottom line is it’s still a fight for pride and bragging rights.
During the pre-All Stars press conference, Santos and company stressed they will come out strong, play hard and provide Smart Gilas the toughest challenge that they can give.
In their first out-of-town sortie, members of Gilas Pilipinas are also trying to improve their bonding.
The PBA has twice accommodated the participation of the national training team in the annual All-Star event. First was in 1998 when the Nationals were under coach Tim Cone, then in 2009 with the Phl team under coach Yeng Guiao. (SB)
Warning: Undefined array key "TESTPAGE" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 254
Warning: Undefined array key "fb" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 280
Warning: Undefined variable $thinq in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 318
Warning: Undefined variable $var_sports_vlurb in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 328
Warning: Undefined variable $mindanaoQuake2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 442
Warning: Undefined variable $showSolicit_batanes in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 459
Warning: Undefined variable $seagames in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 475
Warning: Undefined variable $tokyoOlympics2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 481
Warning: Undefined variable $help_taal in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 490
Warning: Undefined variable $help_ompong in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 525
Warning: Undefined variable $elections_2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 538
Warning: Undefined variable $typhoon_2018_redirect in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 543
Warning: Undefined variable $ncov2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 555
Warning: Undefined variable $tyhoon2020_marthon in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 578
Warning: Undefined variable $dotnet23 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 585
Warning: Undefined variable $suicide in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 595
Warning: Undefined variable $yearend2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 600
Warning: Undefined array key "inqplus_test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 609
Warning: Undefined array key "newreadnext" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 664
Warning: Undefined array key "test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 802
EDITORS' PICK
Warning: Undefined variable $data_for_HompageFG_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 816
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 819
Warning: Undefined variable $MR_data_for_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
Warning: Undefined variable $bc_tag in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 1239