TEAM Japeth Aguilar hopes to make it two wins in a row, while Team Mark Barroca looks to get even as the PBA All-Star Weekend 2024 gets underway at the University of St. La Salle gymnasium.

The All-Star Game is scheduled on Sunday.

“Kailangan namin i-defend yung pagka-panalo namin last year. Although iba na yung coach (Coach Jorge Gallent), -try pa din namin na back-to-back kami,” said Aguilar during the formal presser held at the Megaworld The Upper East.

His All-Star counterpart, Barroca, has other things on mind.

“May extra motivation kami ngayon kasi kinausap kami ni Mayor, siyempre gusto din namin na manalo at gawing special ang All-Star dito sa Bacolod,” said Barroca.

Last year, Team Japeth of coach Tim Cone edged out Team Scottie of coach Yeng Guiao, 140-136, in the All-Star edition held in Passi City, Iloilo.

Cone is reunited again with Aguilar this season, while Gallent, the champion coach of San Miguel, will be the one calling the shots for Team Mark.

Last Thursday, Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez personally welcomed the PBA contingent led by Commissioner Willie Marcial, deputy Eric Castrom Aguilar, Barroca and the rest of the PBA stars.

This will be the first time that the PBA All-Star Game will be held in Bacolod City after 16 years.

The PBA South defeated PBA North, 161-158, in overtime during the 2008 edition.

“Maraming salamat sa mainit na pagtanggap at pag-imbita sa PBA dito, lalo na at nandito si Mayor (Albee) na matalik nating kaibigan” said Marcial during interviews.

Mayor Benitez, on the other hand, said he expects an exciting weekend for the province starting with the Blitz Game and Skills Challenge on Saturday and the featured All-Star game pitting Team Japeth and Team Mark on Sunday.

Team governors Alfrancis Chua (Barangay Ginebra), Atty. Raymond Zorilla (Phoenix), and Eric Arejola (Northport) were also part of the more than 150-plus contingent from the PBA.