PBA, Scoop heads to join Scoop forum in Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines - Aside from joining in the official list of activities lined up for the 2008 PBA All Star Weekend, PBA stars who trace their roots to Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, will be the featured guests this Saturday in Scoop Interaction, the weekly sports forum of the Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines (Scoop Bacolod) at the Grand Regal Hotel which is also the official residence of the PBA during the All Star Weekend. This Saturday's interaction will also feature no less than PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, who has already confirmed his attendance according to Scoop Bacolod President George Liza, and ACOOP (National President and veteran sports scribe Eddie Alinea. The annual PBA extravaganza sponsored by Pigrolac, Mighty Bond, Coke and Yakult and backed by the Bacolod City Government officially reels off today with the staging of the skills events and the Rookies-Sophomores game. Cebuano Dondon Hontiveros is the reigning three-point shootout champion and will be challenged today by Willie Miller, Renren Ritualo, James Yap, Junthy Valenzuela, John Arigo, Mike Hrabak, Nelbert Omolon, Joe Devance and KG Canaleta. The top three finishers in this event will team up against a trio of retired stars in the Legends Shootout on Sunday. Meanwhile, fans have been bothered by reports from Manila yesterday, which said that Canaleta, the defending three-time slam-dunk king, might skip today's competition. Reports said the Air 21 Express star is keen on not joining the event he ruled the past three years due to lack of preparation. Although the same report said the 27-year-old former University of the East Warrior received a letter early this week from no less than PBA Commissioner Barrios requiring him to defend his slam-dunk title this year. Philippine Cup champion coach Boyet Fernandez, a native of Valladolid, Negros Occidental, is also scheduled to guest in Saturday's Scoop Interaction aired 8:30-9:30AM over RPN DYKB, together with fellow Negrenses James Yap of Escalante City, Negros Occidental, John Ferriols of Bacolod City and Reynel Hugnatan who hails from E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental. - Sun.Star Bacolod