Cagayan de Oro (CNN Philippines, April 26) — Gilas Pilipinas and the PBA Mindanao All-Stars concluded the first part of a three-leg All-Star game series with a draw, 114-114, on Wednesday evening at the Xavier University Gym.
Troy Rosario dropped 28 points and four rebounds for the PBA Mindanao All-Stars.
Led by Rosario’s hot shooting from beyond-the-arc, the Mindanao All-Stars secured a 59-55 advantage at the halftime break.
It was a nip and tuck affair as both squads engaged in an open court shootout early in the third period.
Gilas Pilipinas were able to find their rhythm and pull away with the lead going into the payoff period.
Baser Amer and Jio Jalalon helped the Mindanao All-Stars to cut the deficit to one with less than two minutes remaining in the match.
June Mar Fajardo’s back-to-back buckets gave Gilas Pilipinas a breathing room.
Mark Barroca knocked down a cold blooded three-pointer to tie the game with 47 seconds left to play.
Matthew Wright paced Gilas Pilipinas with 22 markers, four boards, and three dimes.
Rosario and Wright were proclaimed as co-Most Valuable Players (MVPs) in this leg.
The PBA has created a different format for this year’s All-Star week -to prepare Gilas Pilipinas for their upcoming international tournaments. What used to be a one-game event now has become a three-part match to be held in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The next match will feature the PBA Luzon All-Stars locking horns with Gilas Pilipinas on April 28 (Saturday) at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena.
The Obstacle Challenge, Slam Dunk Contest and Three-Point Shootout will also be held there.
The last stop will be on April 30 (sunday) where the PBA Visayas All-Star will go up against Gilas Pilipinas in Cebu.
