Wednesday, April 16, 2008
PBA All-Star in the ‘City of Smiles’
A fiesta-like atmosphere awaits the staging of the PBA-All-Star weekend in the “City of Smiles” as the hosting of the mid-season classic coincides with the annual Panaad Festival in Bacolod City.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the province is looking forward to the double celebration, a first in the history of the 238-year-old city.
The Smart-All Star weekend is set on April 24-27 at the West Negros College while the Panaad Festival will be celebrating its 15th year from April 26 to May 3.
“It is with great pride and honor for the City of Bacolod to be this year’s host of the PBA All-Star weekend,” said Leonardia, whose effort to bring the yearly cage spectacle to the province was held in coordination with West Negros College president Suzette Agustin.
Other than showcasing basketball at its finest, the 10-day festival also features an array of theme booths showing the history, arts, culture, trade, investments and tourism of the 32 towns and cities of Negros Occidental.
Leonardia said the hosting of the All-Star should be able to prop up enthusiasm among the local folks, including the holding of charity programs, tree planting and promote the importance of ecological environment, among others.
Purefoods superstar James Yap will be at the helm of the South All-Star squad, which also has for starters Kelly Williams, Danny Seigle, Asi Taulava and Jimmy Alapag.
The rest of the South All-stars are composed of Cyrus Baguio, Dondon Hontiveros, Reynel Hugnatan, Peter Simon, Sonny Thoss and Junthy Valenzuela.
The entire North team meanwhile, is composed of starters Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand, Mark Pingris, Kerby Raymundo and Lordy Tugade, with the reserves made up of Nic Belasco, Mac Cardona, Ranidel de Ocampo, Willie Miller, Ryan Reyes, Arwind Santos and Rico Villanueva. (PR)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 16, 2008 issue)
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