Wednesday, February 06, 2008 Negrense ex-PBA standouts tapped for PBA All-Star 'Legends'
NEGRENSE PBA fans of the 1990s would be glad to know that some of their favorite PBA players from Negros will be seen on the hard court from April 24-27 when the 2008 PBA All-Star Weekend festivities will be held here in Bacolod City.
Former PBA standouts Mike Mustre and Bong Ravena are two of several Negrense ex-PBA campaigners being tapped to join the PBA 'Legends' side event such as the three-point shootout contest, according to PBA officials who were here Monday to discuss preparations for the All-Star Weekend with city officials and local organizers.
The PBA group who came was composed of 2008 PBA All-Star Weekend project director and head of PBA basketball operations Ricky Santos; media bureau chief and special assistant to the commissioner Willie Marcial; marketing director Rico Meneses; and marketing/events officer Rouselle Ighot.
While here the group met with Bacolod Vice-Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson and councilors Al Victor Espino, Homer Bais and Dindo Ramos to discuss the city's involvement in the event.
"The PBA All-Star Weekend is a once a year event which is always being coordinated with the local government unit wherever it goes since it is the league's simple way of giving back to the fans and the public in return for their continued support of the PBA," explained Santos during an interview with Sun.Star Bacolod Monday.
The visiting PBA group was likewise slated to meet with West Negros College sports executive Anthony Carlo Agustin to discuss the possibility of staging a satellite Junior PBA competition for 10-Under cagers with the finals to be made as preliminary game to the highlight PBA All-Star Game on April 27 at the West Negros College gym.
The PBA group also made an ocular inspection of other possible venues for side events such as the BAYS Center, Gaisano City and SM City malls and the new government center, as well as Bacolod Boys Home and Pandanon Valley Resort in Murcia.
Among the possible activities the players are expected to do as part of the socio/civic aspect of the All-Star Weekend here are visits to charity institutions, tree-planting, cleanup of a coastal barangay, street-cleaning and the conduct of a basketball clinic with players from the barangays as participants, among others.
Negrense PBA fans can also vote for an active PBA player from Negros whom they want to be included in the South team lineup. "This is one of the innovations we are doing in this year's All-Star Game," Santos added.
