PBA’s 50th Anniversary takes center stage in Candon as All-Star Weekend heads north

For a league celebrating 50 years of history, the Philippine Basketball Association is taking the celebration on the road.

This week, the PBA’s golden anniversary celebration shifts north as Candon City plays host to the PBA All-Star Weekend, transforming the Ilocos Sur province into the country’s basketball capital for four days.

A 160-member delegation, highlighted by 59 players, will leave Manila late Wednesday for the seven-hour trip, a caravan carrying five decades of professional basketball tradition to one of the league’s newest provincial stages. 

It marks the first All-Star showcase since the 2024 edition in Bacolod City and comes a year after the supposed 2025 staging in Davao was scrapped due to security concerns.

Commissioner Willie Marcial will spearhead the delegation, joined by league officials and participants from the North and South All-Star squads, the Rookies/Sophomores and Juniors teams, and competitors. 

Members of the PBA Board led by Chairman Ricky Vargas, along with team executives, are also expected to arrive by the weekend.

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SOLID ANG LAHAT

Get ready for a star-studded showdown as the Solid Rookies/Sophomores, Solid Juniors, Solid North, and Solid South light up the PBA All-Star Weekend in Candon City from March 6 to 8 on the Pilipinas Live app, PBA Rush, and RPTV!#PBA50 #PBA50LID #PBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/Mu8l0AKBId

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) February 25, 2026

On the court, the North-South rivalry headlines the festivities, as Coach Leo Austria will guide the North All-Stars, whose roster includes Japeth Aguilar, Calvin Abueva, rookie Juan Gomez De Liano, CJ Perez, Stephen Holt, Justine Baltazar, Adrian Nocum, Chris Newsome, CJ Cansino, Gian Mamuyac, Justin Arana, and Don Trollano.

Opposing them is the South squad under veteran coach Chot Reyes, bannered by June Mar Fajardo, RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson, Calvin Oftana, Robert Bolick, Roger Pogoy, JB Bahio, Leonard Santillan, Alec Stockton, Caelan Tiongson, Rey Nambatac, and Jericho Cruz.

While the star power promises fireworks on Sunday night, the league’s message extends beyond the scoreboard.

The four-day stay will feature a motorcade and parade, school visits, tree-planting activity, meet-and-greet sessions, a court turnover ceremony, and referees’ and coaches’ clinics — underscoring the PBA’s effort to turn its anniversary celebration into a community-driven outreach.

Action tips off Friday at the Candon City Arena with the Skills Event at 5:30 p.m. Sunday’s program begins at 5:30 p.m. with the Daily Fantasy Shooting Star contest before the main All-Star Game takes center stage at 7:30 p.m.

After a year of uncertainty and a canceled showcase in 2025, the league has found its stage once more. As the PBA marks 50 years, it does so not just by looking back at its legacy but by bringing the celebration directly to the fans who have sustained it for generations.

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