All roads lead north as the Philippine Basketball Association rolls into Candon City, Ilocos Sur this week, bringing with it the spectacle and star power of the PBA ArenaPlus All-Star Weekend — a centerpiece celebration of the league’s historic 50th anniversary.
A 160-strong delegation — bannered by 59 players — will depart Manila late Wednesday night for the seven-hour journey up north, marking the first All-Star showcase since the 2024 edition in Bacolod City.
Commissioner Willie Marcial will head the PBA contingent, joined by league officials and participants from the North and South All-Star squads, the Rookies/Sophomores and Juniors teams, as well as contenders in the Skills Challenge.
Members of the PBA Board, led by Chairman Ricky Vargas, along with top team executives, are also expected to arrive in Ilocos Sur over the weekend to grace the festivities.
A formal press conference is scheduled on Thursday at the Vahn Gogh Hotel, where members of the competing teams will share their thoughts and expectations for the highly anticipated weekend.
Steering the North All-Stars is coach Leo Austria, who will call on Japeth Aguilar, Calvin Abueva, rookie Juan Gomez de Liano, CJ Perez, Stephen Holt, Justine Baltazar, Adrian Nocum, Chris Newsome, CJ Cansino, Gian Mamuyac, Justin Arana, and Don Trollano.
On the other bench, coach Chot Reyes will lead the South All-Stars, composed of June Mar Fajardo, RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson, Calvin Oftana, Robert Bolick, Roger Pogoy, JB Bahio, Leonard Santillan, Alec Stockton, Caelan Tiongson, Rey Nambatac, and Jericho Cruz.
The festivities tip off Friday at the Candon City Arena with the Skills Event at 5:30 p.m., followed by the ArenaPlus Rookies/Sophomores vs. Juniors clash at 7:00 p.m.
The celebration culminates on Sunday, beginning with the Daily Fantasy Shooting Star contest at 5:30 p.m., before the marquee PBA ArenaPlus All-Star Game takes center stage at 7:30 p.m.
Beyond the hardwood, the league’s four-day stay in the province will also feature a motorcade and parade, school visits, a tree-planting activity, meet-and-greet sessions, a court turnover ceremony, and referees’ and coaches’ clinics — turning the golden anniversary gathering into a full-fledged community celebration.
