PBA’s young stars take center stage as Rookies-Sophomores, Juniors clash

Who said that the PBA is an old man’s league?

The big league’s up-and-coming stars will collide when the Rookies-Sophomores go up against the Juniors in the 2019 PBA All-Star Weekend, Friday evening at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan.

Tip off is at 7:00 PM.

The Rookies-Sophomores side is comprised of Jeron Teng, Mark Tallo, Robert Bolick, Abu Tratter, Paul Desiderio, Raymar Jose, Jason Perkins, CJ Perez, Trevis Jackson, Rey Nambatac, Javee Mocon, and Robbie Herndon.

“This game, I told them I don’t think anybody wants to come out of here on a losing note. So I think these guys are going to compete,” said Rain or Shine assistant coach Chris Gavina, who will call the shots for Rookies-Sophomores.

“I’ve been impressed going up against these guys … All these guys are so quick. We got so much shooters, so I told them play like the Houston Rockets tomorrow and let it fly,” Gavina, a current assistant coach in Rain or Shine, added with a grin.

Standing in their way are the Juniors, who will be banking not only on experience but familiarity as well. 10 of their 12 players have played together for nearly a year during their time in the Gilas Pilipinas Cadets program.

Meanwhile, RR Pogoy, Carl Bryan Cruz, Mac Belo, Kevin Ferrer, Mike Tolomia, Von Pessumal, Ed Daquioag, Jio Jalalon, Matthew Wright, and Russel Escoto will share the floor once again and will look to rekindle their old form as a unit.

Ael Banal and Rashawn McCarthy round up the 12-man Juniors side.

“Sabi nila hindi nila hahayaan yung mga bunsong kapatid nila na talunin sila,” said Juniors head coach Topex Robinson. “We don’t have a legit big so we have to maximize what we have – we’re loaded with guards, so yun advantage namin.”