Gian Mamuyac soars to the basket for Rain or Shine. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
The PBA All-Star Weekend, a staple of every season and one of the ways the league connects to its fans outside of the metropolis, could be in limbo after the originally-slated event in the province of Davao was postponed due to “security concerns.”
Commissioner Willie Marcial said it is working on finding a replacement site within the next two to three weeks in the hope of salvaging the midseason classic, but admitted that it would be left with no choice to cancel the event if things can’t be sorted out.
“We took into consideration what’s best for everyone in deciding to postpone the All-Star Weekend,” Marcial said in Filipino during Wednesday’s doubleheader at Smart Araneta Coliseum that began with Rain or Shine beating the Arvin Tolentino-less NorthPort, 113-96.
Marcial didn’t go much into detail on the postponement, but it obviously stemmed from the political tensions that came after former president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested through a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
Uncertainty surrounding the hosting in Mr. Duterte’s home province grew in the weeks that followed.
Visayas eyed
While Marcial is not counting out the possibility of canceling the annual event, which would only mark just the fourth time since the All-Star was institutionalized in 1989, the league is working on a potential replacement site in the Visayas region if discussions go on the right track.
Marcial didn’t disclose the possible new venue, but it had previous experiences hosting the All-Star event.
“If things can’t be sorted out within the next two weeks or after Holy Week, the All-Star Weekend will likely be canceled,” said Marcial.
The first time the All-Star was not held was in 2002 while the 2020 and 2021 to 2022 editions never took place due to the pandemic. The spectacle returned in 2023 in Passi City, Iloilo, after the easing of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, while last year’s edition was held in Bacolod City.
Meanwhile, coach Yeng Guiao is hoping that the victory over NorthPort can help alleviate what could be the obstacle Rain or Shine will face in the Philippine Cup with veteran Beau Belga out due to vertigo and Keith Datu nursing an injured right calf.
The Elasto Painters, who bounced back after opening the conference with a loss to the NLEX Road Warriors, will be banking on rookie Caelan Tiongson and Santi Santillan to fill the void left by the two players.
Santillan contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds while Tiongson had 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals before engaging in a heated moment with NorthPort’s Sidney Onwubere late in the contest.
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NorthPort fell to 1-1, equaling Rain or Shine’s win-loss slate, with Tolentino out due to an injured right hip flexor. INQ
