Four facts you need to know about the PBA All-Star Game

Alta Sportsa month ago · 356 views

Four facts you need to know about the PBA All-Star Game image

Photo: PBA Images

By James Ajero

As a former colony of the United States, it isn’t a surprise to see the Philippines also inherit the Americans’ passion for basketball. In fact, the archipelago is the only nation in Southeast Asia where basketball is the undisputed No. 1 sport.

Seeing the success of the All-Star Game format in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) also adopted the concept in 1989 to energize their Filipino crowd by pitting the league’s local stars against each other in a sporting extravaganza.

The event has produced exciting matchups – from grizzled veterans facing off against the upcoming rookies and sophomores, to the North’s top players locking horns with the South’s All-Stars.

In recognition of the golden anniversary of the first pay-for-play basketball league in Asia, Alta Sports takes a look at the four enduring facts about the PBA All-Star Game ahead of the league’s festivities in Ilocos Sur.

First-ever PBA All-Star MVP: Elmer Cabahug

From Jerry Codiñera to June Mar Fajardo, Cebu has long been a source of top talent for the PBA. Among those Cebuano hotshots stands Elmer Cabahug, who boasts the honor of being the first-ever player to be given an All-Star Most Valuable Player citation.

The inaugural PBA All-Star Game on June 4, 1989, was reminiscent of the great Toyota-Crispa rivalry. Former Crispa head coach Baby Dalupan called the shots for the Veterans team, while former Toyota head coach Dante Silverio mentored the Rookies/Sophomores squad.

Though the Veterans emerged triumphant over their younger counterparts, 132-130, it was Cabahug who took home All-Star MVP honors in 1989. He scooped a game-high 24 points, anchored on 4-of-6 shooting from the 3-point area.

Player with most All-Star MVPs: Vergel Meneses

Dubbed the "Aerial Voyager" for his impressive leaping plays in the 90s, PBA legend Vergel Meneses holds the distinction as the player with the most All-Star MVP recognitions in his 14 years in the league.

He copped his first All-Star MVP award after dropping 25 points in the 1995 edition of the weekend festivities following the Veterans' 112-107 victory over the Rookies/Sophomores/Juniors squad at the Araneta Coliseum.

Meneses then became the first PBA player to win the All-Star MVP award more than once, capturing the individual prize again in 1998 and 2000.

He extended his record with a fourth citation by leading the Governors' All-Stars to a 124-122 win against the Commissioner's All-Stars in 2003 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Apart from Meneses, only three other players were able to snag the All-Star MVP twice. They are Benjie Paras (1994 and 1999), Asi Taulava (2004 and 2006), and Jayjay Helterbrand (2005 and 2007).

First foreign PBA All-Star MVP: David Noel

The 2009 PBA All-Star Game veered away a little from the traditional format by allowing imports to participate in the mid-season event. All-Star festivities were spread out across the country, with games held in Victorias, Negros Occidental; Panabo, Davao del Norte; and Quezon City.

Barangay Ginebra import David Noel collected 18 markers to lead the PBA All-Stars to a 97-89 victory over Powerade-Team Pilipinas. His performance helped him become the first-ever foreign baller to win the All-Star MVP award in the PBA.

Noel also bagged the slam dunk contest title, besting the likes of high-flying locals Gabe Norwood, Jared Dillinger, and KG Canaleta.

Most PBA All-Star appearances: James Yap

Matching the number on his iconic jersey, PBA legend James Yap etched his name even deeper into league history after he secured his 18th All-Star appearance during the 2024 festivities.

At 42 years old, the sharpshooter broke the record for most All-Star appearances in PBA history, surpassing the previous mark of 17 set by big man Asi Taulava.

He landed fifth in the All-Star voting after garnering 39,016 nods on the ballot, showing not just his longevity as a baller but also his enduring popularity among PBA fans.

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