The PBA is kicking off fan festivities early as voting for the landmark Season 50 All-Star Game officially opens when the Philippine Cup resumes on December 5, marking the start of a three-month buildup toward one of the league’s most anticipated celebrations.
Supporters can immediately cast their votes online or through in-arena platforms, selecting the stars they want to see take center court when the All-Star festivities unfold at the newly opened Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur this coming March.
The league reopens action with a strong December 5 double-header at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, featuring Converge versus Magnolia, followed by a heavyweight clash between defending champion San Miguel Beer and TNT.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said the return of the All-Star festivities comes by popular demand. “Matagal nang hinahanap ng fans ang All-Star weekend. Masaya kami na maibabalik ito sa Candon, Ilocos Sur,” he said, adding that coordinating with Candon Mayor Eric Singson began two years ago in anticipation of the PBA’s golden anniversary.
As part of its 50th-year celebration, the league is bringing back the classic North versus South showdown as the All-Star main event. The Rookies/Sophomores vs. Juniors tilt will serve as the curtain-raiser, reviving a format last used in 2019 in Calasiao, Pangasinan.
The move ends the league’s brief experiment with an NBA-style captain’s draft, where top vote-getters served as team captains who picked from the fan-selected pool of players. The Bacolod-hosted 2024 All-Star Game was the last edition under that setup, capped by a dramatic 140–140 draw after Robert Bolick nailed a rare five-point play in the dying seconds at the La Salle Coliseum.
With the PBA celebrating its 50th season, league officials expect the return of the traditional format—and the opening of fan voting—to spark early excitement as the All-Star countdown begins.
