P250,000 IN PRIZES FOR ALL-STAR TOP PERFORMERS

Tuesday, 25 April 2006

Expect more intense action and fiercer rivalries as added incentives await all individual winners, including the Most Valuable Players (MVPs) of the two featured games in the 2006 Hope PBA All-Star Week.

Other than the bragging rights, P250,000 worth of prizes in cash and in kind will now be handed out in the annual classic in an attempt to up the ante in the slam dunk, three-point shootout, obstacle challenge, trick shot and shooting stars side events, the Blitz Game (Rookies vs Sophomores) and the centerpiece match pitting the North against the South.

“We're adopting this innovation to make this year's All-Star Weekend more exciting and competitive in nature,” said PBA commissioner Noli Eala as he looks forward to the event also presented by Xtreme Magic Sing and Welcoat Paints, and which the province of Misamis Oriental will be hosting for the very first time.

Talk N Text playmaker Jimmy Alapag is back to defend his 3-point Shootout title, as well as Obstacle challenge reigning champ Topex Robinson of Red Bull, Paolo Hubalde of San Miguel (Trick Shot) and Air21's high-flying guard Nino Canaleta (Slam Dunk).

Making its initial foray in the All-Star extravaganza also supported by Sunbolt fun drinks, Chowking, Mentos, ACCEL and Air21 is the Shooting Stars competition, an event patterned after the contest of the same name and considered one of the many attractions in the NBA All-Stars.

But instead of players from different eras teaming up, the league's version will have an active player, a celebrity and a Local Government Unit (LGU) official playing together as a team.

All three members will shoot from six locations of increasing difficulty, with each team all attempting to make all six shots in numeric order in the fastest time.

Six numbered shooting spots will be placed on the floor to designate each shot location. Each team should choose a specific order of shooting and has to follow it throughout the contest, while each shot must be made (unlimited attempts) in the order of succession before they can move to the next spot.

Among the players who already enlisted for the event are Coca-Cola's John Arigo, Tony de la Cruz of Alaska, Red Bull's Lordy Tugade and Noy Castillo of Purefoods.

Meanwhile, some of the league's finest marksmen will be crowding out Alapag for the three-point shootout crown, among them RenRen Ritualo of Air21, Nic Belasco of Alaska, Ginebra's Mark Caguioa, Purefoods' James Yap, Red Bull rookie Larry Fonacier, William Antonio of Coca-Cola and San Miguel's Olsen Racela.

The top three players who will advance to the final also get to qualify for the Legends 3-point shootout to be held during the April 29 All-Star game between the North vs. South.

Out to challenge Robinson in the Obstacle Challenge are Ronald Tubid of Air21, Alaska's Mike Cortez, Caguioa, Coke's Dennis Miranda, Paul Artadi of Purefoods, Dondon Hontiveros of San Miguel, Sta. Lucia rookie guard Alex

Cabagnot and the flamboyant Willie Miller of Talk `N Text.

Hubalde will be defending his trick shot title against Miller, Tubid, Jimwell Torion of Sta. Lucia and Jayjay Helterbrand of Ginebra.

The 3-point Shootout, Slam Dunk, Obstacle Challenge and Trick Shot events are to be played on April 28 as side attractions to the Rookies vs. Sophomores Blitz Game.

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A cash incentive for the All-Star Game MVP???

The PBA has gone very generous... but careless!

No, I'm not being the usual "kj" that I am, but I really don't approve of this innovation. I mean, I honestly feel there is no need to give away cash reward for the best player of the game. Besides, the All-Star Game last year was very competitive eventhough there was no money at stake. This honey-pot could only promote individualistic basketball. Comptetive, hard-fought, but individualistic. Why, isn't the trophy and bragging rights not enough? Players shouldn't play for money, you know, especially in a friendly match. They should play for the people.

Why am I saying this?

You're putting a bunch of guys right there who hardly play alongside each other (save for Adducul, Helterbrand and Caguioa) and expect them to share the ball? Or play team ball? Of course not. To each his own. Expect these players to have one attempt per possession. Expect the guy who shot last, be the same guy who'll shoot the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th shot. Unless of course, he takes away his mind off the money and learn to play selfless ball.

I'm not saying that PBA players are greedy for money. What is Php 250,000 compared to their monthly pay check? But admittedly, this money can only ignite professional jealousy. Yeah, the boys will just cheer each other out during the game. But what happens after is going to be another story. Hmm, I could almost hear the silent whispers and name calling: "ball hog...ball hog!"

You see the point?

Okay, I'm looking at the "offense-oriented" aspect of the game. It's because I despise players who have a penchant for shooting the ball 80 percent of the time. The fact that the MVP award is not necessarily given to the highest pointer doesn't sit well with me. You can score 10 points and still end up as the MVP, but not all the time. So let's make the rules a little more different and interesting this time around.

What makes the All-Star Game a joy to watch, anyway? Isn't it seeing superstars from different teams having fun, sharing the ball, playing together as a team? With that said, I'd rather that they give the reward to the best assistman of the game! This way, team ball is promoted and professional jealousy is prevented.

You see the point?