The 2015 PBA All-Star Weekend, also known as the 2015 Smart-PBA All-Star for sponsorship reasons, was the annual all-star weekend of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)'s 2014–15 season. The events were held at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. This was the second time that Puerto Princesa hosted the all-star weekend. Highlighting the weekend was the return of the North vs. South format of the All-Star game.
Rookies vs. Sophomores game
The Rookies vs. Sophomores game was the main attraction for the Friday events. The last edition of this event was held in 2011.[2] The following rules were observed during the game:
The game consists of four 10-minute quarters. The time will be running during dead ball situations except for the last two minutes of each quarter.
The time limit for a team to advance the ball over the center line is reduced to six seconds.
No players will be fouled out. However, after the seventh personal foul of the player, the team will be put automatically to penalty.
Two free throws will be given to a player who was fouled if it is not act of shooting, three free throws if it is from a missed shot, four free throws if the missed shot came from the three-point area.
One timeout is given to each team for the first to third quarters and two timeouts are given to each team for the fourth quarter. Also, the teams will have a thirty-second timeout for each half.
Rey Guevarra won in this event, earning his second consecutive title.
^OUT Canaleta did not participate due to a worn-out knee.[4] ^INJ Ellis did not participate due to a swollen ankle injury.[5]
All-Star Game
Coaches
Leo Austria, coach of the San Miguel Beermen, and Alex Compton, coach of the Alaska Aces, were selected as the North and the South head coach, respectively. As with the past All-Star Games, the coaches of the teams who entered the season's Philippine Cup Finals will coach the all-star teams.[6]
Roster
The rosters for the All-Star Game were chosen in two ways. The starters were chosen via a fan ballot (online and at the venue during PBA games). Players are assigned to represent the North or South All-Star teams based from their place of birth. Players born in Luzon are assigned to the North All-Stars team while players born in Visayas and Mindanao are assigned to represent the South All-Stars. If the player is born outside the Philippines, the player is assigned to his parents' birthplace. Two guards and three frontcourt players who received the highest vote were named the All-Star starters. The reserves are voted by the twelve PBA coaches after the results of the fan ballot are released.[7]
Jimmy Alapag, who announced his retirement on January 9, 2015 has been added as the 13th man of the South All-Stars by PBA commissioner Chito Salud. He is the current team manager of his former team, the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters. The retirement of his #3 jersey by Talk 'N Text is also scheduled to be held during the All-Star game.[9]
