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Tubid, Hugnatan, David, Tenorio, Yeo to come off the bench |
Tuesday, 14 April 2009 |
Peter June Simon is making his second straight All-Star appearance. The intrepid Purefoods guard, the toast of this annual spectacle last year in Bacolod City, banners the reserves of the North and South teams that will test the mettle of Powerade-Team Pilipinas in a three-game series. Simon joins starters Jay Washington, Eric Menk, Jimmy Alapag, Dondon Hontiveros and Dorian Pena in the South squad that will take a crack at the Nationals on April 24 in Panabo City, Davao del Norte. Also coming off the bench for the South are Alaska's Reynel Hugnatan and John Ferriols, Burger King's JR Quinahan and Barangay Ginebra's Ronald Tubid. Simon stole the spotlight from hometown heroes James Yap and Reynel Hugnatan by scoring 29 points, including five in overtime as the South held off the North, 168-158. His standout performance earned him the Most Valuable Player trophy of the 2008 PBA All-Star Game, making him just the second player to win the award in his maiden appearance since Boy Cabahug pulled off the feat in 1989. Jay-R Reyes (Rain or Shine), Gary David (Burger King), LA Tenorio (Alaska), Gabby Espinas (Barako Bull), and Joseph Yeo (Sta. Lucia Realty) make up the reserves for the North, which will face off with Asi Taulava and Co. on April 22 in Victorias City, Negros Occidental. Marc Pingris, Rico Villanueva, Danny Ildefonso, Macmac Cardona and Paul Artadi will start for the North. San Miguel Beer's Danny Siegle (South) and Lordy Tugade (North) were voted starters but both couldn't make it due to injury. Their spots went to teammates Pena and Ildefonso, who trailed them in the balloting. Talk N Text coach Chot Reyes will call the shots for the North while Alaska mentor Tim Cone be on the sidelines for the South team. Reyes will also coach the combined forces of the North and South starters that will play the Nationals on April 26 at the Araneta Coliseum. The PBA veered away from the traditional All-Star Game between the North and South teams this year to help Powerade Team Pilipinas of coach Yeng Guiao in its training and buildup for the FIBA Asia World Championship qualifier in August. Both the North and South All-Star teams will be reinforced by three imports although only two will be allowed to play at a time. The remaining four imports that will not be picked by PBA Commissioner Renauld "Sonny" Barrios in the first two stops will beef the team that will play the Nationals on April 26. Before plunging into action in the FIBA Asia World Championship qualifier, the Nationals will compete in the SEABA championship in June and the Jones Cup in July. Beside Taulava, the other members of Powerade Team Pilipinas are Sonny Thoss, Mick Pennisi, Kerby Raymundo, Kelly Williams, Gabe Norwood, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jarred Dillinger, James Yap, Ryan Reyes, Willie Miller, Cyrus Baguio and Jayjay Helterbrand. Taulava and Hontiveros are in their ninth All- Star Game while Alapag, Miller, Raymundo and Villanueva are making their seventh appearance in the annual classic. (DBC) |