The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is postponing its 2025 All-Star Weekend in Davao due to the growing security concerns in the province.
Commissioner Willie Marcial on Wednesday revealed that the Board deemed it best to do so for the safety and welfare of all those involved in the midseason extravaganza, which was supposed to take place on May 2-4.
“Ang All-Star natin as of now, postponed,” he said.
“Tiningnan namin kung ano ‘yung makabubuti sa karamihan kaya natin pinostpone.”
All is not lost for the annual showpiece, though, with the league currently in talks with a prospective host in Visayas that could replace Davao.
However, according to Marcial, the All-Stars could be canceled altogether if discussions do not materialize.
“Tingnan natin kung maayos. Pero ‘pag hindi pa naano within two weeks or after Holy Week, baka ma-cancel ‘yung All-Star natin,” he said.
Whether or not the All-Star pushes through, the league will still contribute to the players’ trust fund, the league chieftain affirmed.
“Magbibigay pa rin ang PBA ng trust fund sa mga players. Kasi ‘yun ang binibigay natin every All-Star,” he said.
“So tingnan natin.”
The league was all set to hold its 33rd All-Star festivities next month until the current situation in Davao made the powers-that-be push it back.
The PBA was keen to sustain the success of last year’s edition in Bacolod, where Team Japeth and Team Mark settled for a 140-all draw.
It was in that game where Robert Bolick tied it up with a rare five-point play — a play that made the league believe how much of a game-changer the four-point line could be that they implemented as much come Season 49.
That particular All-Star also proved to be memorable as far as the side events are concerned, with a Three-Point Shootout among bigs held in place of the Slam Dunk Contest. Raymond Almazan of Meralco won the tilt.
#WATCH: PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial explains why the league had to postpone the #PBA2025 All-Star Weekend in Davao 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/5bA3d7fo40
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 16, 2025
