The PBA is flying to Davao for its 2025 All-Star Weekend.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said that the midseason extravaganza are scheduled on April 11-14, although details are still being finalized.
It would be the league’s first All-Stars in the province in seven years, or since the opening leg of the 2018 All-Star Week that was held in three different cities.
There, Davaoeno Baser Amer earned MVP honors as he led the Mindanao All-Stars past Smart All-Stars, 144-130, at the Davao del Sur Coliseum in Digos.
It will be the third time that the annual festivities will be hosted by Davao.
The first was in 2013, where the PBA All-Stars and Gilas settled for a 124-all draw in Digos as well. Arwind Santos and Jeff Chan were named co-MVPs.
The previous All-Star Weekend was held in Bacolod, where the All-Star Game drew a sold-out crowd at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum.
Fans witnessed Robert Bolick complete a five-point play in the dying seconds as Team Mark Barroca and Team Japeth Aguilar ended in a 140-all stalemate.
That match, where Team Mark came back from down 31, drew raves from netizens and the PBA hopes to sustain that success in the next All-Stars.
No dunk contest was held in the City of Smiles although a Three-Point Shootout among bigs was played, with Meralco’s Raymond Almazan emerging triumphant.
Another big man also reigned supreme in the Obstacle Challenge, as NorthPort sophomore JM Calma bagged home the title.
TNT star Calvin Oftana came out victorious in the regular Three-Point Shootout, where he denied Paul Lee’s bid of going back-to-back.
An RSJ Game was also played, with Justin Arana earning Blitz Game MVP honors as his 36 led Team Greats to a 142-133 win over Team Stalwarts.