PBA All-Star: North’s speed vs South’s size

Puerto Princesa City – The annual Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) All-Star Game is a perfect time to let great players showcase their individual talents. But for Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio, who is tasked to handle the North squad, he and his team will take the game seriously just like any other regular game. “While the All-Star Game is a perfect opportunity for the fans to see the stars do their thing inside the court, we are also poised to play seriously, especially during winning time," said Gregorio, who will count on his team’s speed to offset his wards’ deficiency up front. It will be South’s size and North’s speed, which will become the familiar scene in Sunday’s 2010 PBA All-Star Game to be held at the 10,000-seater Puerto Princesa Coliseum in Palawan’s capital. Gregorio will parade a team without a legitimate center with Ranidel de Ocampo being the tallest player at 6-foot-6. But Gregorio has athletic players in Gabe Norwood, Marc Pingris and Arwind Santos; wingmen JC Intal and rookie Rico Maierhofer; and a cast of cat-quick guards in Paul Artadi, Jayjay Helterbrand, Sol Mercaco, Ryan Reyes, Willie Miller and Mac Mac Cardona. Norwood came in as a last-minute substitute for Kerby Raymundo, who is now out indefinitely for Derby Ace after injuring his leg. “We cannot match up pound-for-pound against the South," said Gregorio. “It’s like David and Goliath out there. We just hope we can follow what is written in the script." Coach Tim Cone’s South selection boasts of a formidable frontline composed of Asi Taulava, Eric Menk and Kelly Williams with Sonny Thoss, Reynel Hugnatan and Joe Devance as backup. Their also have a fearsome backcourt with James Yap and Jimmy Alapag joining forces in the starting unit. Interestingly, Taulava will be appearing in his 12th All-Star game, tying Jerry Codinera’s record in the annual spectacle. Alvin Patrimonio holds the record for most All-Star games played with 13. Dondon Hontiveros, Ronald Tubid, Roger Yap and Cyrus Baguio are coming off the bench for the South squad. Cone said he still has no game plan yet but will obviously work on their strength, which is the inside game. “Of course, that would be our first priority, get some high percentage shots and once the defense collapses, we have guys like James, Jimmy and Dondon who can fire away from the outside," said Cone. – Rey Joble, GMANews.TV