THREE out, three in.
TNT gunner Roger Pogoy, Magnolia forward Aris Dionisio, and Blackwater rookie slotman Christian David were tapped last Tuesday as replacements for the PBA All-Star festivities this weekend at the University of St. La Salle Gymnasium in Bacolod.
Pogoy and Dionisio will suit up for Team Japeth after injuries prevented Phoenix sophomore playmaker Tyler Tio and former MVP Scottie Thompson from playing.
Tio is out due to a grade 2 ankle sprain, while Thompson is suffering from a back injury.
It will be the fifth All-Star appearance for Pogoy, while Dionisio will play in his first All-Star in the spectacle set this Saturday and Sunday.
The Tropang Giga veteran guard and Magnolia standout will provide the needed boost to Christian Standhardinger, Paul Lee, Calvin Oftana, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Don Trollano, Marcio Lassiter, Arvin Tolentino, Maverick Ahanmisi, Stanley Pringle, and Terrence Romeo under coach Tim Cone.
David, the No. 2 overall pick in the last Draft, will take the place of injured Rain or Shine big man Keith Datu in Team Stalwarts in the Blitz Game among rookie, sophomore, and junior players.
Datu is recovering from an MCL sprain.
With David in Team Stalwarts of strategist Peter Martin are top pick overall Stephen Holt, Fran Yu, Adrian Nocum, Kim Aurin, John Amores, JM Calma, Joshua Munzon, Anton Asistio, Leonard Santillan, Keith Zaldivar, and Kyt Jimenez.
Tio will likewise be replaced in the Long Distance Three-Point contest among guards by Fuel Masters teammate Ken Tuffin.
Datu’s slots in the Obstacle Challenge and Long Distance Three-Point shootout among big men will be taken by Rain or Shine frontcourt partner Santillan.
With Dionisio elevated in the All-Star main game, James Laput will get his spot in the Three-Point shootout for bigs.
Team Stalwarts battles Team Greats of tactician Patrick Partosa, whose roster includes Javi Gomez De Liano, Tuffin, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Justin Arana, Ralph Cu, Andrei Caracut, RK Ilagan, Alec Stockton, Gian Mamuyac, Laput, and Shaun Ildefonso.
