The battle lines have been drawn for the 2016 NCAA All Star Game.
The third annual NCAA All Star Game, an exhibition game that features the best and the finest student-athletes in the seniors division, is set to happen on Friday, August 12 at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Just like the past two incarnations of the event, the league will be divided into two teams: the East and the West. The West All-Stars will comprise of players coming from the College of Saint Benilde, the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates, and the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals. On the other hand, the East will have student-athletes studying in Arellano University, Jose Rizal University, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, San Beda College, and San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
Last Wednesday, the NCAA released the line-up for the once-a-year game. Headlining the West will be Gilas Cadet floor general Jio Jalalon of the Chiefs while fellow Cagayan de Oro-native Rey Nambatac of the Knights will serve as foil to him.
Here are the initial line-ups for both squads:
WEST ALL STARS
SAINT BENILDE BLAZERS
JJ Domingo
Yankie Haruna
Christian Fajarito
EAC GENERALS
Jorem Morada
Francis Munsayac
Sidney Onwubere
LYCEUM PIRATES
Ian Alban
MJ Ayaay
Wilson Baltazar
MAPUA CARDINALS
Exe Biteng
Andrew Estrella
Darell Menina
EAST ALL STARS
ARELLANO CHIEFS
Jio Jalalon
Julius Cadavis
Kent Salado
JRU HEAVY BOMBERS
Ervin Grospe
Paolo Pontejos
Teytey Teodoro
PERPETUAL ALTAS
Bright Akhuetie
AJ Coronel
Gab Dagangon
SAN BEDA RED LIONS
Davon Potts
Dan Sara
Donald Tankoua
SAN SEBASTIAN STAGS
Michael Calisaan
Ryan Costelo
Jerick Fabian
Notable snubs in this year’s showcase are reigning MVP Allwell Oraeme of Mapua, Lyceum’s marathon man Harry Nzeusseu, San Sebastian gunslinger RK Ilagan, and San Beda sharpshooter AC Soberano.
The East and the West All-Stars are currently tied with a win apiece. Last season, the Aldin Ayo-mentored West squad edged out their Eastern counterparts, 89-88. Jonathan Grey of Saint Benilde was named as MVP.
Other events set to take place for the day are the three-point shootout and the slam dunk contest.