PBA All-Stars: Barefield leads Rookies/Sophomores vs Rivero, Juniors

The brightest, rising stars in Juan Gomez de Liaño and RJ Abarrientos are not seeing action in the Juniors vs Rookies/Sophomores match in the PBA All-Star.

That’s because the JGDL and Abarrientos, who figured in a classic PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinal between Converge and Ginebra, respectively, are voted as starters in the All-Star Game.

That being said, Sedrick Barefield of Blackwater banners the Rookies/Sophomores against Ricci Rivero’s Juniors during the side event in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.

With Abarrientos suiting up for the Solid South in the main event, Barefield is tasked to lead the young guns also featuring Jerom Lastimosa (Magnolia), Kai Ballungay (Phoenix), Dalph Panopio (Blackwater), Sonny Estil (Ginebra), Mark Nonoy (Terrafirma), Felix Lemetti (Rain or Shine), Evan Nelle (Phoenix), Mike Malonzo (Rain or Shine) and NLEX’s Xyrus Torres, Brandon Ramirez, and Jonel Policarpio.

FiberXers’ Justine Baltazar was also supposed to see action for the said team but he was one of the players chose by the 12 coaches to complete Japeth Aguilar’s Solid North.

Rivero, meanwhile, stands in the forefront of the older cagers after Rain or Shine ace Adrian Nocum was also named to the Solid North’s bench alongside.

The former UP star will be joined by TNT’s Henry Galinato and Kim Aurin, as well as Brandon Bates (Meralco), Ralph Cu (Ginebra), Christian David (Blackwater), Kenneth Tuffin (Phoenix), Deschon Winston (Converge), Cade Flores (Titan Ultra), King Caralipio (Titan Ultra), and Dominic Fajardo (NLEX).

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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.

He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.