PBA likely shelving All-Star Weekend says Willie Marcial

The 2025 PBA All-Star Weekend in Metro Davao is now likely cut off totally according to Commissioner Willie Marcial. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The PBA is now leaning toward a total cancellation of the 2025 All-Star Weekend.

Commissioner Willie Marcial said on Wednesday night, just as the league resumed action after the Holy Week break at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, that they could not agree on terms with top officials from an undisclosed province regarding the transfer of the All-Star festivities there.

The cities of Davao and Panabo were chosen to host this year's All-Star event from May 2-4.

However, citing security concerns mainly brought by the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, a Davao City native, the PBA began talks with another province, hoping to save the event.

"Dapat after the elections gagawin, May 16-17. Di sila pwepwede, yung kausap natin," Marcial revealed why the supposed new host begged off.

Marcial then said that they could not set the All-Star event later than May.

"Pag umabot tayo ng July, magfa-finals na, so most probably, wala nang All-Star," he further said.

This could likely be the first time the PBA will not hold an All-Star event since a three-year lull from 2020-2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In line with the now essentially canceled All-Star festivities, the PBA decided to hold regular Philippine Cup games during the supposed All-Star dates.

The May 2 playdate, supposedly the date for the PBA Mindanao Game in Davao City, is now a doubleheader to be played at the new Ynares Center 2 in Montalban.

On the other hand, the schedule for May 4 shifted from the supposed PBA All-Star Game in Panabo to a twinbill at the Ynares Center 1 in Antipolo, highlighted by a huge showdown between TNT and San Miguel.

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