Returning PBA All-Star Mark Barroca fine with new captain's draft system

Mark Barroca thinks the teams that will be formed in the new PBA All-Star "captain's draft" mode will just be as competitive as the old North vs. South and Veterans vs. RSJ teams. Dennis Jerome Acosta

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY—Mark Barroca said on Saturday that he is fine with the new format of the PBA All-Star Game in which the two top vote-getters in the All-Star balloting will serve as captains who will form their lineups through a draft.

According to Barroca, the "captain's draft" will just work as fine as the previous team formations like the North vs. South All-Stars and the Veterans vs. Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors.

"Pareho lang yun in terms of balance," said the Magnolia point guard, who finished at number nine on the All-Star balloting.

Barroca, who is set for his seventh consecutive All-Star appearance since 2014 and eighth overall, also said that he is interested to see how Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson, the designated All-Star skippers this year, will draft the rest of the field on Monday during the PBA All-Star Draft considering the difference in their positions at Ginebra.

"Big si Japeth, guard si Scottie, so tignan natin kung ano ang ibibigay nila," Barroca further said.

When asked, though, which among Team Japeth and Team Scottie he would want to be part of, Barroca answered, "Bahala na kung saan."

He added that being voted into the All-Stars is already satisfying for him.

"Basta makasali lang, OK na," Barroca said. "Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga bumuboto—ang mga fans natin at media—na makakapaglaro uli ako sa All-Stars."

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno