2016 PBA All-Star Weekend

The 2016 PBA All-Star Weekend was the annual all-star weekend of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)'s 2015–16 season which was held on August 4–7, 2016 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City. This was the fourth All-Star Weekend that was held at the Coliseum, the first since 2009.^[1]

Schedule of events

The All-Star Weekend festivities started on August 4, 2016 with a visit of PBA players in the Heroes Ward of the V.Luna General Hospital, and a meet and greet session with the PBA players at the Ali Mall. The following day, there were the Obstacle Challenge, 3 point shootout, the slam dunk competition and the Blitz game between the Greats and Stalwarts, of which were held at the main venue.

On August 6, Saturday, a clinic for referees was conducted in a covered court of Brgy. Pinagkaisahan, Quezon City,^[2][3] followed by a basketball fair and another meet and greet session at the Food Court of the Coliseum. An exhibition game between selected PBA board members and executives including PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa, 1-Pacman Representative and GlobalPort Batang Pier team owner Mikee Romero and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go and the members of the PBA Press Corps was also held at the venue itself.^[4]

On the final day of the event, a shooting stars contest and a women's 5x5 basketball exhibition were held, before the exhibition game between the North All-Stars and the South All-Stars, the main event of the All-Star Weekend.

Friday events

Greats vs Stalwarts

This year's Blitz Game saw the return of Greats vs Stalwarts. The game included young PBA players, selected players from PBA D-League and PBA Legends.^[5]

Game

• Greats vs. Stalwarts Game MVP: Raymond Almazan (Stalwarts)

Obstacle Challenge

• Gold represent the current champion.

First round

The winners of each pairing in the first round advanced to the final round.

• Scottie Thompson def. Chris Banchero
• Carlo Lastimosa def. Jeric Fortuna
• Paolo Taha def. Chris Newsome
• Mark Cruz def. Emman Monfort
• Maverick Ahanmisi def. Brian Heruela
• Mark Barroca def. Jai Reyes

Three-Point Contest

• Gold represent current champion.

Slam Dunk Contest

• Gold represent the current champion.

Saturday Events

An exhibition game between PBA Board and PBA Press Corps was held while having a basketball fair for the fans outside of the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Sunday events

Shooting Stars

The return of the Shooting Stars had a different format. There was one PBA player, one Women's 3x3 player, one Batang PBA player and a lucky fan from Cignal TV. Team B led by Jericho Cruz of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters won the Shooting Stars.

Women's 5 on 5 game

The Women's 5 on 5 game was composed of players from the league's Women's 3 on 3 tournament. The game was played in 12 minute halves.

All-Star Game

Coaches

Yeng Guiao, coach of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, and Leo Austria, coach of the San Miguel Beermen, were selected as the North and the South head coach, respectively.^[7]

Roster

The rosters for the All-Star Game were chosen in two ways. The starters were chosen via a fan ballot (online and at the venue during PBA games). Players are assigned to represent the North or South All-Star teams based from their place of birth. Players born in Luzon are assigned to the North All-Stars team while players born in Visayas and Mindanao are assigned to represent the South All-Stars. If the player is born outside the Philippines, the player is assigned to his parents' birthplace. Two guards and three frontcourt players who received the highest vote were named the All-Star starters. The reserves are voted by the twelve PBA coaches after the results of the fan ballot are released.

• INJ1 Calvin Abueva was unable to participate due to chronic tonsilitis and dehydration
• INJ2 Greg Slaughter was unable to participate due to an injured ankle
• Gabe Norwood started in place of Calvin Abueva
• Asi Taulava started in place of Greg Slaughter

Game

• All-Star Game MVP: Alex Cabagnot (North)

See also

• 2015–16 PBA season
• Philippine Basketball Association
• Philippine Basketball Association All-Star Weekend

References

1. ^ "PBA All-Star returns to Big Dome". The Philippine Star. July 6, 2016. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
2. ^ Meet hardcourt heroes at the PBA All-Star weekend, Manila Bulletin, July 29, 2016]
3. ^ Ramos, Josef T. (August 4, 2016). "PBA All Star Weekend unfolds at The Big Dome". Manila Times. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
4. ^ "Duterte special assistant, Pacman in All Stars". The Philippine Star. August 4, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
5. ^ After controversial suspension, Asi Taulava finds silver lining in the form of All-Star start
6. ^ "Manny Pacquiao set to make maiden PBA All-Star appearance in Blitz game". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. August 2, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
7. ^ 2016 PBA All-Star starters revealed, Jane Bracher, Rappler, July 23, 2016
8. ^ 2016 PBA All-Star starters revealed, Mark Giongco, PBA.inquirer.net, July 23, 2016
9. ^ "After controversial suspension, Asi Taulava finds silver lining in the form of All-Star start"