The Master Game Face All-Star Basketball Challenge (The only college basketball All-Star Game in the country) is TODAY

The only college basketball All-Star Game in the country is TODAY

by rick olivares

Today’s Master Game Face All-Star Basketball Challenge (essentially the All-Star Game of the Filoil tournament) is a first not only for the league but also for Filipino basketball fans because they had a chance to vote for who they wanted to see play (via facebook.com/MasterPhilippines) on team that will have former San Beda and Ateneo stars Borgie Hermida and Chris Tiu as coaches.

The fans voted for the starters while the respective coaches chose their reserves). And the fans (as well as Borgie and Chris) have spoken.

Team Borgie (from Group A of the Filoil tournament)

Starters: Baser Amer (San Beda), Bobby Ray Parks (NU), Ola Adeogun (San Beda), Rome De La Rosa (San Beda), and Andrei Paras (UP)

Reserves: Anthony Semerad (San Beda), David Semerad (San Beda), Kyle Pascual (San Beda), Jean Mbe (NU), Carl Cruz (FEU), RR Garcia (FEU), Henry Asilium (UP), James Pinto (AU), James Forrester (AU), Jan Jamon (EAC), Mike Tolomia (FEU), Kyle Neypes (NU), and Joseph Marata (UP).

Team Chris (from Group B of the Filoil tournament)

Starters: Juami Tiongson (Ateneo), Kiefer Ravena (Ateneo), Abdul Karim (UST), Aljon Mariano (UST), and Jeron Teng (DLSU).

Reserves: Mark Cruz (Letran), Kib Montalbo (DLSU), Koko Pingoy (Ateneo), Roi Sumang (UE), Jericho Cruz (Adamson), Arnold Von Opstal (DLSU), Raymond Almazan (Letran), Norberto Torres (DLSU), Chris Newsome (Ateneo), Jeric Teng (UST), Kevin Ferrer (UST), Jason Perkins (DLSU), and Roider Cabrera (Adamson).

The Master Game Face Challenge also presents the unique opportunity to see long time on court rivals share the court as teammates. La Salle’s King Archer Jeron Teng will start alongside King Eagle Ravena and Ateneo co-captain Juami Tiongson on Team Chris.

“We’re all friends off the court. To share the court with players like Jeron and [UST’s] Jeric is something I’m looking forward to, “ said Ravena.

Hermida added: “They didn’t have a game like this when I was in college. The best players in college are this game so it should be a great game for fans to watch.”

Rome De La Rosa of the San Beda Red Lions summed it all up when he said: “There’s no better way than ending the summer with an All Star Game” I’m so excited about teaming up with other players from the NCAA and UAAP because these are guys I have went up against in our mother leagues and other tournaments. So the thought of teaming up with them is pretty cool.”

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I am especially excited to see this tip-off as this is the second project I’ve worked on with Unilever. Very much like last year’s Clear Dream Match, I played a massive part in the conceptualization and implementation of this All-Star Basketball Challenge event. From the fan in me, it’s huge to be able to help out and do these things because these are what the fans want to see. 

Like the book launch last night, I have butterflies again. Hope to unleash them when the Master Game Face All-Star Basketball Challenge gets going at the San Juan Arena today at 4pm.