No more North vs South as PBA All-Star Game returns in March with tweaked format

As the PBA All-Star weekend makes its return this 2023, the league will have a new format for its main game.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the All-Star weekend, which will be held on March 9-12, 2023 in Passi, Iloilo, will now have a similar format to other leagues where fans will choose the players to be included.

"Dati North-South, [ngayon] ang gagawin na natin parang sa ibang liga, mamimili ang fans ng 24, kahit anong posisyon, top 24 players. Doon sa top 24, 'yung dalawa gagawin nating captain ball," said Marcial.

From the 22 players, each captain will draft their team members. The top picks from the rookie selection will also be part of the teams, and even coaches will be voted by the fans. Celebrities may also be added to the teams.

Voting will start Wednesday and will be conducted online in the league's website and in the game venues.

Aside from the main game, the league will still conduct its usual All-Star activities such as the Slam Dunk Challenge, skills contest, and the 3-point shooting contest. The Rookie-Sophomore-Juniors game will also be determined by fan voting.

The last PBA All-Star was held in 2019 in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News