Reyes, Tenorio topbill newbies to PBA All-Stars

MANILA, Philippines – Big man Jay-R Reyes of Rain or Shine and San Miguel playmaker L.A. Tenorio lead five other players suiting up for the first time in the annual PBA All-Star extravaganza. Along with Gabby Espinas (Barako Bull), Joseph Yeo (Sta. Lucia) and JR Quinahan (Burger King), Reyes and Tenorio were among those named by the 10 league coaches to comprise the reserve rosters of the North and South quintets out to challenge Powerade-Team Pilipinas in the upcoming three-game series. The rest of the reserves include the Alaska pair of Reynel Hugnatan and John Ferriols, Gary David of Burger King, Ronald Tubid of Barangay Ginebra and Purefoods’ Peter June Simon, last year’s All-Star Most Valuable Player (MVP). Simon, Hugnatan, Ferriols, Quinahan and Tubid complete the South team which has Jay Washington, Eric Menk, Dorian Pena, Dondon Hontiveros and Jimmy Alapag as starters. Reyes, David, Tenorio, Espinas and Yeo will be subbing for the North team which has Marc Pingris, Enrico Villanueva, Danny Ildefonso, Mark Cardona and Paul Artadi for a starting cast. Both teams will be reinforced by three imports each, but only two will be allowed to play at a time. Pena and Ildefonso, the next players with the most number of votes, were adjudged starters, taking over from injured players Danny Seigle and Lordy Tugade. Ildefonso sees action in his eighth All-Star Game while Pena will be playing his second All-Star. The North team, to be handled by coach Chot Reyes, will be the first to test the RP squad's mettle on April 22 in Victorias, Negros Occidental. The South team, under coach Tim Cone, takes its turn to play the Nationals on April 24 in Panabo, Davao del Norte. The South and North starters join forces in the final day of the series, taking on the Nationals at the Araneta Coliseum on April 26. The RP team, gearing up for the SEABA championship in June, the Jones Cup in July and the FIBA-Asia championship in August, is made up of Asi Taulava, Sonny Thoss, Mick Pennisi, Kerby Raymundo, Kelly Williams, Gabe Norwood, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jarred Dillinger, James Yap, Ryan Reyes, Willie Miller, Cyrus Baguio and Jayjay Helterbrand. Both Taulava and Hontiveros will be nine-time All-Game participants while Alapag, Miller, Raymundo and Villanueva will strut their stuffs in the event for the seventh time. –GMANews.TV