Awarding the champion Nino Canaleta of BMEG are Commissioner Sonny Barrios and Mayor Hagedorn's wife, Ma.Elena Marcelo Hagedorn.
HAGEDORN: WARM WELCOME AWAITS PBA ALL-STARS
A warm welcome amidst a festive atmosphere awaits the PBA All-Stars delegation in the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, which plays hosts to the annual spectacle for the very first time this weekend.
The PBA contingent will arrive in this tourist haven Thursday afternoon.
Staging the mid-season classic, according to Mayor Edward Hagedorn, has been a cherished dream of the province as it longed to showcase the hospitality of the Palawenos, and at the same time, promote the city as an emerging sports tourism capital in the country.
The All-Star festivity is set from April 23 to 25 with the competition reverting back to its old old format pitting the North against the South.
“For a long time now, the people of Puerto Princesa have been longing to host the PBA All-Star game. Kaya naman ako ay nagagalak na nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon na maging punong abala ng 2010 PBA All-Stars,” Hagedorn said.
The popular mayor said so highly-anticipated the event is that he expects a full-house crowd at the 10,000-seating capacity Puerto Princesa Coliseum for the All-Star game itself.
“Mainit na mainit na hinihintay na ito ng mamamayan ng Puerto Princesa,” he added.
The All-Star hoopla is the latest sports event Puerto Princesa is hosting, having staged the likes of Palarong Pambansa, Asian cycling championships, the boxing Olympic qualifying meet, a leg of the Petron Ladies beach volleyball tournament and even a slew of PBA games in the past
At the same time, the province will be taking the opportunity to showcase the beauty and potential of Palawan as a possible sports tourism capital, especially with its famous underground river among the 28 finalists for the Seven New Wonders of the World.
“Wala kaming mga industrial companies, mining o logging dito. Ang tangi naming maipagmamalaki ay ang aaming turismo. So sana maging daan ang All-Star upang mai-promote namin ang Palawan bilang sports tourism capital ng bansa.
Derby Ace stalwart and top fan choice James Yap and Kelly Williams lead a South team seeking to score a repeat over its North counterpart, bannered by JayJay Helterbrand and Mark Pingris, following its 163-158 win in overtime two years ago in Bacolod City.
The North vs South All-Star Game is scheduled on Sunday at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum.
Other highlights of the three-day mid-summer spectacle are the Rookies vs Sophomore Blitz Game as well as the skills events – 3-point shootout, slam dunk contest, obstacle challenge -- which will take place on Friday.
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