College scouts, fans flock to first HS All-Star game

With a tip of the hat to the McDonald’s All-American Game, fans and scouts alike went in droves to the Ynares Sports Arena on Sunday to witness the White All-Stars beat the Blue All-Stars, 87-81, in the first-ever Seaoil High School All-Star Game.   The first of its kind in the country, the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) gathered the 30 best high school stars in the country for this tiff.   The NBTC wanted to provide an avenue for high school stars to get discovered whether they played in the big leagues like the UAAP, or in the provincial leagues.   Former Gilas coach Rajko Toroman, who earlier gave the boys a special training session, graced the event. He was later joined by college coaches from Ateneo de Manila University, Adamson University, University of the Philippines and San Sebastian College, among others, to take in the spectacle unfolding in front of them.   Eventual Most Valuable Player of the game Ariel Basas from the Mapua Red Robins was joined by Francis Abarcar, John Boo, Kim Cinco, JJ Alejandro, Daryl Nazareno, Ian Valdez, McJour Luib, Kevin Baytan, Brian Ilarde, Ralph Tansingco, Tomas Ramos, Julius Cadavis, Coco Jabines and Randolph Toriño in the white team.   On the other hand, the blue team boasted of high school hotshots Gab Reyes, Thomas Torres, Paul Nieles, Jason Ligas, Kyle Suarez, Ralph Napa, Van Abatayo, Richie Villaruz, Gideon Babilonia, Tonio Bonsubre, Edric Estacio, Janmer Gabito, Paul Rubin, Dave Yu and Jeron Teng.   The White All-Stars took on an early lead, 6-0, but they were quickly overtaken by a blue shirts line-up that showcased the future of the De La Salle Green Archers, as Gabby Reyes, Jeron Teng and Thomas Torres gave their side a 17-16 advantage.   But under the leadership of “Ace” Basas, the white team came out more aggressive in the second quarter. Consecutive shots from Cagayan De Oro native Coco Jabines and Julius Cadavis gave them their biggest lead of the game at 12 points, 43-31.   While the smaller players battled it out on offense, Gideon Babilonia and Kevin Baytan alternated defensive heroics. Both young men showed their prowess in rebounding and defense, with Gideon even blocking future NU Bulldog JJ Alejandro early in the second half.   The two teams went neck-and-neck in the third quarter, resulting in a number of lead changes. John Boo and Ian Valdez led the white shirts’ offense, while the blues continued to lean on the duo of Reyes and Teng.   Down the stretch, the White All-Stars, behind Basas, continued to step on the gas. The Blue All-Stars’ comeback, however, came up short, as their side missed crucial free throws while mounting their rally.   With the outcome was already decided with a minute to go, what surprised the crowd was a game-closing two-handed dunk from Reyes, as the UAAP Juniors Mythical Five selection showed off his hops.

  Basas was not only named MVP, but he was also nominated to the Mythical Five, along with San Beda Red Cub Bonsubre, Cadavis, Boo and Teng. - AMD, GMA News The scores: All-Star White (87) — Basas 24, Boo 12, Valdez 10, Cadavis 10, Nazareno 8, Toriño 5, Alejandro 4, Abarcar 3, Cinco 3, Jabines 2, Ramos 2, Baytan 1, Luib 0, Ilarde 0, Tansingco 0. All-Star Blue (81) — Teng 22, Rubin 8, Bonsubre 8, Ligad 7, Abatayo 7, Torres 6, Reyes 6, Nieles 4, Babilonia 4, Napa 4, Villaruz 2, Gabito 2, Yu 1, Suarez 0, Estacio 0.