NCAA to hold second annual All-Star game Friday

MANILA, Philippines – The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will pit some of the league’s best and brightest college basketball players in an All-Star game on Friday, August 21 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

Schools were segregated according to their respective geographical locations as the East team is made up of Arellano University, Jose Rizal University, San Beda College, San Sebastian College-Recoletos and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.

Meanwhile, the West squad is formed by Colegio de San Juan de Letran, College of Saint Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Lyceum of the Philippines University and Mapua Institute of Technology.

Each university or college will have 3 representatives in the All-Star game and one for the 3-point shootout and slam dunk contest.

Same as last year’s All-Star format, foreign players will not be allowed to participate in the game, but they will be able to strut their wares in the slam dunk showcase.

NCAA Management Committee’s reason behind the exclusion of foreigners in the All-Star game last year was to ensure a balanced and more competitive matchup.

Arellano’s Jiovani Jalalon will lead Team East alongside with San Beda’s Arthur Dela Cruz and JRU’s Bernabe “Teytey” Teodoro.

Aside from the 3 aforementioned players, Team East will also be parading Ryusei Koga, Michole Sorela, Bright Akhuetie, Gab Dagangon, Zach Nicholls, Kent Salado, Jordan Dela Paz, Abdulwahab Abdulrazak, Jamil Ortuoste, Bradwyn Guinto and Michael Calisaan.

However, reigning NCAA MVP Earl Scottie Thompson has decided to sit out due to lingering foot, leg and back pains. Thompson has played 35 minutes per outing in the first round of the NCAA Season 91 men’s senior basketball tourney.

John Ylagan will take Thompson’s spot in representing Perpetual Help in the All-Star festivity with Akhuetie and Dagangon.

On the other hand, Team West will be powered by Letran’s core of Mark Cruz, Rey Nambatac and Kevin Racal.

Also joining Team West are Jonathan Grey, JR Ongteco, Fons Saavedra, Shaq Alanes, Wilson Baltazer, Joseph Gabayni, Christ Mejos, Francis Munsayac, Sidney Onwubere, JP Nieles, Allwell Oraeme and Justin Serrano.

San Beda head coach Jamike Jarin will call the shots for Team East, while Letran’s Aldin Ayo will mentor Team West.

The All-Star game is at 4 pm, immediately following the 3-point shootout and slam dunk contest at 2 pm.

Saint Benilde’s Travis Jonson will defend his three-point crown against a roster of ace shooters, which includes Cruz (Letran), Baltazar (Lyceum), John Kenneth Zamora (Arellano), Jozhua General (EAC), Paolo Pontejos (JRU), Exequiel Biteng (Mapua), Amiel Soberano (San Beda), Ryan Costelo (San Sebastian) and Gerald Dizon (Perpetual Help).

In the slam dunk contest, Oraeme (Mapua), Sorela (San Beda), Dioncee Holts (Arellano), Rey Publico (Letran), Yankie Haruna (Saint Benilde), Laminou Hamadou (EAC), Kim Aurin (JRU), Jebb Bulawan (Lyceum), Ally Bulanadi (San Sebastian) and Prince Eze (Perpetual Help) battle for the trophy.

– Rappler.com