The PBA All-Star dance showdown has always been must-watch moment. But can Japeth Aguilar succeed this year without a dancer like Arwind Santos?
Remember the 2023 PBA All-Star dance showdown?
Allow us to jog your memory shamelessly.
Team Scottie bannered Passi with pride with their white All-Star shirts. There was no denying Calvin Abueva could shake his hips like Shakira, no lie.
Team Japeth had an impeccable presentation in Passi. There was color coordination, swaggy fedoras, laudable effort in choreography, and an undeniable effortless dancer in Arwind Santos.
And then Jio Jalalon and Calvin Abueva stole the show with a mini dance-off of their own.
Team Japeth won that dance-off.
Only this year, fate doesn't seem to be on Aguilar's side.
"Sa dance off parang naka'y Mark na lahat ng mga dancer eh, sila Jio, sila Calvin. Tapos kapag sumayaw pa si June Mar, wala na panalo na sila," Aguilar told reporters in a press conference in Bacolod.
Aguilar admitted, he definitely missed having Santos by his side in times like these.
"Last year, si Arwind 'yung nagdala sa amin," he said. "Kasi talagang kung mabigyan kayo ng chance na makasama si Arwind, sine-seryoso niya talaga 'yung mga ganitong event. Seryoso siya sa sayaw niya pati sa props actually."
So this time, Aguilar is trying to even the field by hiring a choreographer--a non-player at that.
"Para naman medyo maayos kami," he explained. "Hopefully mamaya, wala kaming practice sa court. So baka sa dance kami mag-practice."
Barroca, meanwhile, is feeling pretty upbeat.
"Nakikita kaming nagba-basketball lang. Siyempre may mga talent din kami na ipapakita, sumasayaw din kami," he told the media.
Barroca also revealed that he has plenty of reasons to be competitive with the All-Star Game, vowing to amp up the defense. There's an incentive coming from Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez too, after all.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Mark Barroca reveals factors to make Bacolod All-Star Game extra competitive]
The All-Star Game is set for March 24. It will be aired on RPTV, PBA Rush, and the Pilipinas Live app.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada, One Sports Digital)