PBA All-Star side events have always been the anticipated event of the All-Star week. But this year’s salvo will be much spicier as reigning champions Terrence Romeo, Maverick Ahanmisi, and Rey Guevarra put their respective titles on the line against the league’s finest.
The back-to-back Three-Point Shootout champion Romeo of Globalport will try to secure a three-peat, but it will not be a walk in the park, as he has to defend his title against the likes of Gary David (Mahindra), LA Tenorio (Ginebra), Jared Dillinger (Meralco), Allein Maliksi (Star), Chris Tiu (Rain or Shine), Larry Fonacier (TNT), Juami Tiongson (NLEX), Simon Enciso (Alaska), Matthew Wright (Phoenix), Alex Cabagnot (San Miguel Beer), and Ronjay Buenafe (Blackwater).
The 25-year-old Ahanmisi (Rain or Shine), on the other hand, will defend and aim to win his second straight Obstacle Challenge against a solid field of fiesty guards led by veterans Chris Ross (San Miguel Beer), Sol Mercado (Ginebra), Stanley Pringle (Globalport), Justin Melton (Star), Chris Banchero (Alaska), Emman Monfort (NLEX), RJ Jazul (Alaska), Roi Sumang (Blackwater), Ed Daquioag (Meralco), Kris Rosales (TNT), and LA Revilla (Mahindra).
Lastly, three-time Slam Dunk king Guevarra (Mahindra) will look to nab his fourth straight Slam Dunk Contest crown as he goes up against fellow high-flyers Calvin Abueva (Alaska), last year’s runner-up Chris Newsome (Meralco), JC Intal (Phoenix), Justin Melton (Star), Gabe Norwood (Rain or Shine), James Forrester (Blackwater), and Mo Tautuaa (TNT). The surprising participant is rookie Arnold Van Opstal (San Miguel Beermen).
The All-Star side events will be at the All-Star Week’s second day, and will take place on Friday, April 28, at Lucena, Quezon. It will serve as the curtain-raiser of the main event — the Luzon PBA All-Stars versus Gilas Pilipinas.
