A SUPER SUCCESS
PUERTO PRINCESA – NickelAsia, host and sponsor of the 2015 PBA All-Star Weekend, was thrilled with the outcome of the PBA mid-season spectacle here, so much so that it’s thinking of hosting the event again in the near future.
JB Baylon, the chief organizer of the Palawan All-Star festivities, said they could bring the event to Surigao in 2017.
“We also have a mining corporation in Surigao. They were asking if the people of Surigao can also be treated with the PBA All-Star experience,” said Baylon.
“Or we can bid for the hosting of a weekend out-of-town game in Surigao,” added Baylon, a former PBA Board member, representing the defunct Coca-Cola ball club.
NickelAsia drew tremendous commendation from almost everybody with its successful hosting of the just concluded event.
PBA commissioner Chito Salud called the event “a super success” while league Board chairman Patrick Gregorio hailed it as “fantastic” as the PBA drew overflowing crowd on both its All-Star Friday and All-Star Sunday.
The PBA rocked this tourist city through its four-day visit that had the PBA stars also holding outreach programs, including a hospital visit and tree-planting sessions to the enthusiastic response of the Palawan people.
“I had never seen an All-Star event like this before. Eto yung All-Star event na kumpletos recados,” said Gregorio.
“It was perfect na ang dami-daming napasaya with no cost to the PBA,” Gregorio also said.
“I think it goes hand in hand. When the league is doing well, we get good partners. NickelAsia has been a fantastic partner. On its own that is a very strong company. But if you have a league that is as strong as the PBA today, you get partners like NickelAsia,” said Salud.
The league commissioner also lauded the players.
“I think the players clearly have shown today that they have realized, recognized, acknowledged their roles, their responsibility to the fans. They gave a show, not only in terms of basketball, but in terms of entertaining their fans,” Salud said.
“I’m so proud of our players because even the young ones have imbibed that mindset of it’s all about the fans, that without the fans the PBA is nothing, the players are nothing, the teams are nothing,” Salud added.
The challenge is how to top this All-Star Weekend next year and the years to come.
“It’s really a challenge for the next host. But we always say this, and we always manage,” said Salud, optimistic the event will live on, providing fun, thrill and excitement to the fans.
The North team bested the South squad, 166-161, in the All-Star Game with GlobalPort sophomore guard Terrence Romeo winning the MVP trophy.
On Friday, Romeo also seized the spotlight in winning the Three-Point Shootout against a stellar cast that included past winners Mark Macapagal, James Yap, Chris Tiu and Jimmy Alapag.
Rey Guevarra became only the third PBA player to win the slam dunk competition in back-to-back fashion while Jeric Fortuna ruled the Obstacle Challenge.
After a weekend of sun, sand and sea in Puerto Princesa, the PBA players are now shifting their focus back to serious basketball as the Commissioner’s Cup resumes Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo. (SB)
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.
