To say that the PBA All-Star Weekend had a triumphant return is accurate like Paul Lee from three.
Coming back from a hiatus since 2019 due to the COVID pandemic, the return of the PBA All-Star Weekend this year was filled with excitement and anticipation.
Thankfully, the league and all the participants of the three-day affair in Passi City, Iloilo showed out and lived up to the lofty expectations.
With that, let’s look back at the five best moments from the 2023 edition of Philippine basketball’s most glittering celebration.
Apple David steals the show
A side event called the PBA All-Star Shooting Stars featuring PBA correspondents Apple David, Denise Tan and Bea Escudero along with their respective teams made up of fans, writers and government officials was held.
The competition produced a viral-worthy moment when David won it for her squad after hitting a three-pointer just like how granny used to. Ridiculous and charming at the same time, the uderhanded heave added to the overall appeal of the festivities.
Dunks to remember
While David Murrell of the Converge FiberXers was crowned Slam Dunk King, the two best jams in the banner event came from Blackwater Bossing’s Tyrus Hill.
One of which was Hill’s two-handed windmill off the bounce reverse jam.
And the second one was a throwdown over Jamie Malonzo without a push-off from the latter’s back. The dunk was clean.
Paul Lee for three
Add Three-point Shootout champion to the many accolades of the nine-time PBA All-Star. Lee ruled the long-distance event with a scorching final round, wherein he scored 28 points.
The shooting display was reminiscent of the Triggerman Allan Caidic.
Adrian Wong’s crowning moment
We may have seen the birth of a PBA star in the RSJ game with Adrian Wong of the Magnolia Hotshots securing the win for Team Greats and snatching the MVP trophy for himself.
Scoring 18 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter including threes from Dame Lillard range and a gorgeous slam off the bounce to finish things off, Wong proved he has what it takes to be one of the league’s next marquee talents.
Paul Lee for four
The Lethal Weapon is back on the list with his own MVP performance in the festivities’ main event. Lee got hot from four-point country en route to a 32-point outing, which also lifted Team Japeth to victory. The Ilonggos got a special treat as they saw an amazing scoring exhibition from one of the game’s finest shot-makers firsthand.
What a weekend it was, especially for the fans and the Magnolia superstar who took home two major trophies.