UAAP Jrs. MVP Aljun Melecio, NCAA Jrs. Finals MVP Evan Nelle headline 3rd Annual SLAM Rising Stars Classic

ABS-CBN SPORTS AND ACTION TO TELEVISE THIRD ANNUAL SLAM RISING STARS CLASSIC

Premier High School All-Star Game tips off 6:30PM on Sunday, March 20, 2016

MARCH 3, 2015 (MANILA) – SLAM PHILIPPINES, the #1 ‘In Your Face’ basketball magazine, is once again gathering Metro Manila’s top 24 high school basketball players for the Third Annual SLAM Rising Stars Classic, happening on March 20, 2016.

For the third straight year, The Gatorade Hoops Center in Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City will be home once again to the SLAM Rising Stars Classic, and will be aired LIVE on ABS-CBN Sports and Action, and Sports and Action HD, with coverage starting at 6:30PM.

The game will also be re-aired on Good Friday, March 25, at 10:00PM

This time around, members of the media will have the opportunity to get intimate and be up close with these future stars, as a media-only pre-event session will be held at Resorts World Manila on March 19, 2016.

“The SLAM Rising Stars Classic is the graduation ceremony of Philippine high school basketball’s honors class. It is a collection of the most talented, most promising young names in hoops, names that we are certain will become more and more familiar to more and more people as years go by,” said Nikko Ramos, SLAM Philippines’ Executive Editor. “In the past, these athletes would have been told to “wait their turn.” We refuse to make them wait, or wait ourselves. It is a platform that not only propels young talent, but also grabs hold of the narrative as if to say “Get on the bandwagon now. You’ll run out of seats if you wait.” This is SLAM’s way of investing in the future of Philippine basketball. It is a stock that is already rising to record heights – today, not tomorrow.

UAAP Jrs. Season 78 MVP and DLSU commit Aljun Melecio from De La Salle Santiago Zobel, and NCAA Jrs. Season 91 Finals MVP Evan Nelle of San Beda College-Rizal headline this year’s showcase, which also includes blue chip players Justine Baltazar and John Lloyd Clemente of the NU Bullpups. In addition to Melecio, also returning to this year’s SLAM Rising Stars Classic are Ricci Rivero of LSGH, Jolo Mendoza of Ateneo High School, Carlo Abadeza of Arellano University, and new ADMU commit Tyler Tio of Xavier School.

Last year, DLSU’s JBoy Gob (LSGH) and NU’s JV Gallego (CKSC) won Co-MVP game honors and led Team Punks to a 103-95 win over Team Hype. Gob finished with 16 points and 7 rebounds while Gallego came up with 18 points on 8-12 shooting.

Numerous collegiate stars have played in the previous two editions of the SLAM Rising Stars Classic, and continue to make a name for themselves in the college circuit. Prominent alumni include DLSU’s Prince Rivero and Andrei Caracut (UAAP Srs. Season 77 Rookie of the Year), NU’s Rev Diputado, ADMU’s Arvin Tolentino (UAAP Srs. Season 76 Rookie of the Year) and Matt Nieto, SBC’s Javee Mocon, ADU’s JD Tungcab, and UP’s Diego Dario.

The SLAM Rising Stars Classic boasts of a game environment that is fun, yet still very competitive. Leading the way from the sidelines will be De La Salle Santiago Zobel Junior Archers assistant coach Gian Nazario handling TEAM PUNKS and Ateneo High School Blue Eaglets head coach Joe Silva calling the shots for TEAM HYPE. In addition, PBA stars will serve as assistant coaches. Alaska Aces Tony Dela Cruz and Chris Banchero will be on the HYPE side while Star Hotshot Marc Pingris and Tropang TNT Troy Rosario help out the PUNKS squad.

This annual event is fueled by Gatorade, and supported by adidas – the official outfitter of the third annual Slam Rising Stars Classic, Smart Sports, Titan, Resorts World Manila, and Buffalo Wild Wings.

2014 SLAM Rising Stars Classic Photo Gallery