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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider All-Stars brace for Sunday collision in vibrant Candon

All-Stars brace for Sunday collision in vibrant Candon

Published Mar 7, 2026 03:30 pm

At A Glance

  • CANDON CITY – The biggest and the brightest PBA stars have finally descended for a night to remember when the North and South All-Stars collide at the Candon City Arena here on Sunday, March 8.
CANDON CITY – The biggest and the brightest PBA stars have finally descended for a night to remember when the North and South All-Stars collide at the Candon City Arena here on Sunday, March 8.
The culmination of the three-day PBA Season 50 ArenaPlus All-Star weekend is set at 7:30 p.m. with fans expected to flock to the venue to see their PBA idols led by June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar in person.
Aguilar is headlining a stacked North All-Star lineup that also included Calvin Abueva, Juan Gomez de Liaño, CJ Perez, Stephen Holt, Justine Baltazar, Adrian Nocum, Chris Newsome, CJ Cansino, Gian Mamuyac, Justin Arana and Don Trollano.
The South All-Stars aren't pushovers either with Fajardo leading RJ Abarrientos, Calvin Oftana, Robert Bolick, RR Pogoy, JB Bahio, Leonard Santillan, Alec Stockton, Caelan Tiongson and Rey Nambatac.
Aside from the game which is expected to generate high-flying dunks and scorching shooting to entertain the fans, the pre-game dance-off before the contest is one of the most anticipated parts of the All-Stars.
Although a first time All-Star, Nambatac knew full well that they need to put their best foot forward and give the fans a show.
“Pinaka-main goal talaga namin, bigyan namin ng magandang laban itong PBA All-Star Game para sa mga fans kasi syempre mga fans ang bumoto sa amin, nag-effort din sila para mapabilang kami sa All Stars. So dapat mag-effort din kami,” said Nambatac of the South squad which will be handled by his TNT coach Chot Reyes.
Now at different sides, San Miguel head coach Leo Austria now gets the chance to put a clamp on his big man Fajardo as he is tasked to call the shots for the North All-Stars.
But Austria said he will simply let the players play and thrill the fans.
“If it is a tournament, I know how to stop him. But it is just an exhibition game.
I think everybody wants to play. You cannot plan the whole game. Because everybody's deserving to play,” said Austria.
Before the main event, the PBA All-Stars also had a tree planting event at the Candon Eco Tourism Park, Meet and Greet with SPED kids. The league also donated P300,000 to Candon South High School and P200,000 to Ilocos Sur Polytechnic Colleges.
Backed by Rain or Shine, the PBA also turned over newly repainted courts in Barangays San Isidro and Calaoa-an in Candon.
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