PBA All-Star kicks off with Skills challenge, Blitz game

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It’s show time.

The 2016 PBA All-Star Spectacle gets underway Friday with a sprinkle of stars from the past, present and future, plus the country’s beloved boxing hero seeing action in the kickoff night of the keenly awaited PBA midseason spectacle at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Former MVP awardees Alvin Patrimonio and Johnny Abarrientos will be among those who will try to bring back their glory days while recent MVP winners James Yap and Jayjay Helterbrand and new sensations Terrence Romeo and Troy Rosario also show their stuffs in the All-Star Friday ushering in grand festivities culminated by the North-vs-South All-Star Game on Sunday.

A special added spice in the All-Star Friday is Manny Pacquiao’s participation in the Greats versus Stalwarts Blitz Game.

It’s an event to remember, marking the return of the PBA All-Star Extravaganza at the Big Dome for the first time in seven years.

Pacquiao, who has just been reactivated by Mahindra to take the spot of the injury-hit LA Revilla, is teaming up with Patrimonio, Ronnie Magsanoc, Nic Belasco and Topex Robinson in the Stalwarts team that also includes PBA youngsters Chris Banchero, David Semerad, Raymond Almazan and PBA D-League stars Mike Tolomia, Russel Escoto, Raphael Banal and Bryan Cruz.

Abarrientos and fellow legends Noli Locsin, Richard del Rosario and Bong Ravena, meanwhile, banner the Team Greats that also features PBA players Maverick Ahanmisi, Kevin Alas, Anthony Semerad, Ian Sangalang and D-League mainstays Ed Daquiaog, Mac Belo, Roger Pogoy and Jonathan Grey.

Team Stalwarts and Team Greats clash at 7 p.m., shortly after the Skills Competitions where Romeo, Rey Guevarra and Jeric Fortuna defend their titles in three-point shootout, slam dunk and obstacle challenge, respectively.

Yap, Rosario, Jeff Chan, Alex Cabagnot, RJ Jazul, Jayjay Helterbrand, Almond Vosotros, Nino Canaleta, Garvo Lanete and Simon Enciso will be Romeo’s challengers in the three-point shooting contest.

Meanwhile, James Forrester, Moala Tautuaa, Chris Newsome and Franklin Bonifacio showcase their aerial artistry and showmanship versus Guevarra.

The All-Star Weekend culminates with the North-vs-South All-Star Game on Sunday with Romeo, Mark Caguioa, Marc Pingris, Japeth Aguilar and Calvin Abueva leading the North team’s bid to repeat their victory in Puerto Princesa, Palawan last year.

Romeo, Caguioa, Pingris, Aguilar and Abueva make up coach Yeng Guiao’s starting unit versus coach Leo Austria’s Yap, Scottie Thompson, Greg Slaughter, June Mar Fajardo and Joe Devance.

Coming off the bench for the North team are Rosario, Cabagnot, Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, Paul Lee, Ranidel de Ocampo and Stanley Pringle.

The South team’s reserves are Chan, JR Quinahan, Jericho Cruz, Chris Ross, Mark Barroca, RR Garcia, Carlo Lastimosa and Asi Taulava in his all-time record 14th All-Star participation.

The PBA summer spectacle had been to Digos City, Laoag City, Boracay, Victorias City and Panabo in the previous years. The last time it was held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum was in 2009, featuring the final leg of Luz-Vi-Min tour pitting the Powerade Phl Team under coach Yeng Guiao versus the PBA All Stars.

The last time the PBA All-Star Weekend was held in Manila was in 2014 over at the MOA Arena featuring Gilas Pilipinas versus thePBA All-Stars. The Nationals prevailed, 101-93, with Gary David going home with the MVP honors.

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