I have always looked forward to covering the PBA All-Star Game. I must admit it’s mostly because it is invariably held out of town, and I am admittedly, a “probinsyano” at heart.

Going back to the countryside after all the pressures and stresses of city life is always a welcome respite, even if I am there to do a job. This is when my work in media becomes so enjoyable.

Last Friday, I wrote here that I looked forward to the All Star Weekend in Bacolod City, citing the glorious food, the clean and green surroundings, the relatively traffic-free situation and the famous warmth and friendliness of the people.

All of the above held true and more.

While the entire city and its environs (the entry to the city is Silay City, where the modern new airport is) were festooned with banners and other signages proclaiming the sporting event, it also turned out that there was one other bustling activity going on that transformed the placid city into a beehive of happenings and frenzied activity.

Freemasons from all over the country were holding their Annual Convention, and there were about 4,000 of them that swooped down on the Negros Occidental capital.

Almost every eatery, department store, souvenir shop and public place was teeming with visitors from various parts of the Philippines. But the natives did a fine job in making everyone feel welcome.

Inevitably, I found some friends who were also there for the Masonic convention and we took the opportunity to sneak in a golf game at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club, which is actually located in the nearby town of Murcia, in the Binitin district.

While the Masons were busy with their grand reunion of sorts, most of them were also aware and interested in the PBA activity. As a matter of fact, I spotted several of them joining in some of the activities, notably the street party at Golden Fields, and of course the games at the West Negros University Gym.

They were so fortunate because the game, although a fun affair, with the players letting their hair down and displaying moves and antics they would not usually display in the official games, turned out to be a fiercelyfought one, which needed a 5-minute extension to settle.

When the regulation period ended in a deadlock at 149-all, I had commented to my broadcast partner Quinito Henson that they would probably end the game right then and there. Quinito said he didn’t think so, because an AllStar Game should have a winner and a loser.

Initially, the PBA decided to indeed call it a game, but Commissioner Sonny Barrios, Chairman Tony Chua and the rest of the officials relented, as the players themselves egged on the crowd to demand for an overtime with deafening chants of “Overtime, Overtime!.

The hometown crowd was especially enthusiastic, as PBA records had shown that the home team always won the All-Star Game. Well, the South AllStars did not disappoint, and they indeed eked out a thrilling 183-158 victory.

What made the game more memorable to the Bacolod crowd was that their local boys- James Yap of Escalante town, Reynel Hugnatan of nearby Talisay, and even Coach Boyet Fernandez of Valladolid, made the extra effort to do them proud.

* * * *

Quinito and I had considered Hugnatan and Yap to be the MVP’s but a rookie in the All-Stars, Peter June Simon stole their thunder as he delivered crucial points in the fourth quarter and overtime.

A native of Makilala, North Cotabato who earned his spurs as a player of the Davao Eagles of the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association, Simon admitted he was initially awed just by the opportunity to be part of the All-Star game. But he displayed his usual intensity and will to win and delivered in the clutch.

The happiest team mate turned out to be the popular James Yap, who jokingly gave him a big nudge as the announcement was made. It turns out, the two were room mates, and Simon was Yap’s constant companion whenever he would shuttle to and from Escalante, to check on his kids Joshua and Baby James.

In sum, that trip to Bacolod was one of the most memorable we ever had and we thank the people, led by their accommodating Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia for pulling out all the stops and making everyone’s stay more than just pleasurable.

The PBA delegation and my friends from the Freemasons were one in saying that another trip to Bacolod is in order.