BACOLOD - Will first time be a charm for Jorge Gallent?
The champion coach of San Miguel will dip his hands in his first PBA All-Star game presented by Arena Plus as he calls the shot for Team Mark Barroca that is going to try and deny Team Japeth a repeat win in the mid-season spectacle on Sunday at the University of St. La Salle gymnasium.
The rookie All-Star mentor though is up against a formidable foe in Tim Cone, who is coaching in his 10th All-Star and just a year removed from steering Team Japeth to a 140-136 win over Team Scottie in the Iloilo edition of the annual festivities.
But with a complete roster led by seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, Gallent is hopeful of giving the opposition a run of its money.
"I think we're gonna have a good chance of winning this game. I'm sure we're gonna make it competitive," said Gallent.
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Aside from Fajardo, also with Team Mark are Jason Perkins, CJ Perez, Robert Bolick, Jio Jalalon, Ian Sangalang, James Yap, Calvin Abueva, Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, rookie Ricci Rivero, Cliff Hodge, Juami Tiongson, and Nards Pinto.
Cone meanwhile, didn't arrive in the City of Smiles until Saturday morning and proceeded to conduct his first practice with Team Japeth at the Tay Tung High School.
The most accomplished coach in PBA history however, wouldn't have the benefit of having injured players Scottie Thompson, Tyler Tio, and top pick Christian Standhardinger.
Thompson and Tio had since been replaced by Aris Dionisio and Roger Pogoy, but no replacement has been made to take the spot of the 6-foot-9 Standhardinger, leaving Cone without a solid presence in the middle.
Others comprising Team Japeth are Paul Lee, Calvin Oftana, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Don Trollano, Marcio Lassiter, Arvin Tolentino, Maverick Ahanmisi, Stanley Pringles, and Terrence Romeo.
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The 6:15 p.m. main game will be preceded by the Shooting Stars Challenge where Senator Bong Go and his team seeks for a back-to-back crown.(RG)
