PBA All Star 2012 Highlights: Top Plays and Memorable Moments Revealed
I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2012 PBA All-Star Weekend like it was yesterday. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, that particular event stood out for its incredible energy and the emergence of what would become known as the Rain or Shine core group. While the official records show Team C-3 finished with a respectable 2-1 record in the exhibition matches, what truly captivated me were the individual performances that hinted at the future championship potential within that roster.
The moment John Matthew Manalang drained that consecutive three-pointer sequence during the rookie-sophomore game remains etched in my memory. The arc on his shot was just perfect - I've rarely seen such clean rotation on the ball from a young guard. What impressed me more than the 18 points he put up was his court vision. There was this particular play where he drove baseline, drew two defenders, and dished a no-look pass to Ethan Galang for an easy layup. Galang himself brought this raw athleticism that you just can't teach. His vertical leap during the slam dunk contest preliminaries measured at approximately 38 inches according to the arena's measurement system, though I suspect it might have been closer to 40. The way he elevated on that reverse dunk made the entire crowd gasp simultaneously.
What made this Rain or Shine group special was how their personalities shone through different aspects of the All-Star festivities. John Bravo's defensive intensity during the main game was something to behold - he registered 4 steals in just 22 minutes of play, which is ridiculous for an All-Star setting where defense typically takes a backseat. Meanwhile, John Edcel Rojas demonstrated why he'd become such a versatile forward. I specifically recall him switching onto guards twice and maintaining perfect defensive stance without fouling. Alfred Sedillo's mid-range game was absolutely surgical that weekend. His shooting percentage from 15-18 feet must have been around 65% based on my observation, though the official stats might show something different.
The bench players provided some of the most memorable moments too. Jack Cruz-Dumont brought this international flair that wasn't common in the PBA at that time. His behind-the-back pass to Mitchelle Maynes during the third quarter of the Sunday exhibition was pure artistry. Speaking of Maynes, his energy off the bench was infectious. There's this play where he chased down what looked like a certain fastbreak layup and blocked it from behind - the entire arena erupted. Gab Gomez's ball handling under pressure was another highlight. During the skills challenge, he completed the obstacle course in what I believe was 28.3 seconds, though the official timer showed 29.1. Kenny Rocacurva's basketball IQ was evident in how he positioned himself for rebounds, while Vincent Cunanan's corner three-point shooting provided crucial spacing whenever his team needed it.
What struck me most about watching that Rain or Shine contingent was how they played with this chip-on-the-shoulder mentality despite the All-Star setting. They weren't the biggest names there, but they competed like every possession mattered. I remember thinking at the time that this group had the potential to develop into something special in the coming seasons. The chemistry between Manalang and Galang in particular suggested a backcourt partnership that could dominate for years. Their two-man game resulted in 12 combined assists that weekend, creating numerous highlight plays that still get shared among hardcore PBA fans today.
The 2012 All-Star weekend wasn't just about individual brilliance though. The way these Rain or Shine players supported each other during timeouts, celebrated each other's successes, and genuinely seemed to enjoy sharing the court told you everything about the culture they were building. I've attended numerous All-Star events since then, but there's something about that 2012 edition that felt different. Maybe it was witnessing the early formation of what would become a championship core, or perhaps it was seeing relatively unheralded players seizing their moment on the big stage. Either way, those three days in 2012 provided a glimpse into the future of Philippine basketball while delivering entertainment that still resonates with fans who were fortunate enough to witness it firsthand. The memories from that weekend continue to remind me why I fell in love with covering basketball in the first place.