Basketball fans from all over the Philippines are ready to cheer for their hometown heroes as the stars of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League come together for “MPBL: All-Star 2020” today, Thursday (February 13) at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The annual gathering of the crème of the crop in the country’s fastest-growing semi-professional basketball league will be aired LIVE on ABS-CBN S+A starting at 3 pm with livestreaming on iWant, sports.abs-cbn.com, and on the ABS-CBN Sports Facebook page and YouTube Channel.
This year’s event begins with a celebrity 3×3 competition between Team Pacquiao of MPBL founder Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Team Kobe of actor and MPBL cager Gerald Anderson. Joining Pacquiao in his team are former UAAP standouts Thirdy Ravena, Alvin Pasaol, and Troy Rike, while Fil-Am guard Joshua Munzon, celebrity baller Marco Alcaraz, and former UP Fighting Maroon star Juan Gomez De Liano will be fighting alongside Anderson for the injured Kobe Paras’ squad.
MPBL all-stars will also get into some 3×3 action with Rodel Vaygan, Leo De Vera, Nick Demusis, and Jay Helterbrand representing South against JP Belencion, JR Alabanza, Aris Dionisio, and Paolo Hubalde from the North.
Eleven sharpshooters will also battle in the 3pt shootout led by the likes of James Martinez, Robin Rono, Lester Alvarez, John Wilson, and Anton Asistio. While high-flyers David Carlos, Nick Demusis, Gian Abrigo, RJ Ramirez, Renato Ular, and James Forrester will fight for the Slam Dunk contest crown.
More stars get to play for the crowd in the MPBL All-Star game featuring the best players from North division and South division at 8 pm. Starting for the North are Wilson, Dionisio, Michael Juico, Alfred Batino, and Jai Reyes with coach Randy Alcantara. First in the court for the South division team of coach Don Dulay are Allyn Bulanadi, Mark Yee, Gab Banal, Jeff Viernes, and Will McAloney. Before they take the court, however, other members of the MPBL community will get to showcase their game as team owners and representatives join Sen. Pacquiao in the Executive Basketball Match at 6 pm.
The “MPBL: All-Star 2020” is a welcome break for the teams, which are currently fighting for spots in the playoffs in the on-going Lakan Cup. Founded in 2017, the league has grown from 10 teams to 31 teams this season, and continues to enjoy success nationwide with the help of ABS-CBN Sports, its official broadcaster both on-air and online.
Catch the “MPBL: All-Star 2020” LIVE today on S+A starting at 3 pm with livestreaming on iWant, sports.abs-cbn.com, and on the ABS-CBN Sports Facebook page and YouTube Channel, with repeat telecast on Friday (February 14) on LIGA. Fans abroad can also watch it on TFC.tv.
