Homecoming: WV players gird for Iloilo PBA All-Stars to remember

WESTERN Visayas-based players hopes to have a memorable homecoming as the Visayas leg of the 2018 PBA All-Star unfurls with the Visayas All Stars-Gilas Pilipinas exhibition game at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the University of San Agustin Gym in Iloilo City.

James Yap is thrilled to once again play ball in Iloilo City, which served as his home for several years while he was a varsity player for Hua Siong College of Iloilo (formerly Iloilo Central Commercial High School).

“Ito iyong unang laro ko dito sa Iloilo since noong last playing year ko para sa Hua Siong noong 2000,” said Yap, a Rain or Shine Elasto Painters guard and native of Escalante City, Negros Occidental. “Kaya excited talaga akong makalaro uli rito.”

Columbian Dyip guard Ronald Tubid is also glad to be able to return to his hometown to play basketball for the first time since 2003, when he suited up in a PBA out-of-town game for Shell Turbo Chargers.

“I’ve played in Iloilo as a PBA player just once in my rookie year with Shell in 2003,” said Tubid. “I am looking forward to a memorable moment in this homecoming of mine here in Iloilo.”

For his part, NLEX Road Warriors guard Emman Monfort is happy to be included in the Visayas All Stars team. He said he was just a spectator when the annual PBA event was first held in Iloilo in 2000.

“I was 11 when the PBA All-Stars was played here in 2000 and I was inspired. Hopefully this PBA All-Stars will also serve as inspiration to the Ilonggo youth,” Monfort said.

Other WV-based players suiting up in tonight’s game are Ilonggos Jericho Cruz and Kiefer Ravena, Bacolodnon Jeffrei Chan, and Roxas City native Rey Mark Belo.

Yap, Tubid, Monfort, Cruz, Ravena, and Chan are part of the Visayas All Stars team along with June Mar Fajardo, Gregory Slaughter, Paul Asi Taulava, Terrence Romeo, Chris Ross, and Joseph Ronald Quiñahan.

Belo will anchor the shorthanded Gilas Pilipinas team along with Japeth Aguilar, Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, Jio Jalalon, Calvin Abueva, and Matthew Wright.

Also listed but doubtful to play are Jeth Troy Rosario and Roger Pogoy, who were preparing for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup, as well as the injured Allein Maliksi and Carl Bryan Cruz./PN