Relive the Top 10 Best Moments from PBA All Stars 2015 Basketball Games
I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2015 PBA All-Star weekend like it was yesterday. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, there was something particularly electric about that year's festivities - perhaps it was the perfect storm of emerging talents and established veterans creating moments that would be replayed for years to come. The 2015 edition gave us everything from breathtaking individual performances to heart-stopping finishes that reminded us why we fell in love with the game in the first place.
Let me take you back to that incredible alley-oop between James Yap and Marc Pingris that had the entire arena on its feet. The timing was absolutely perfect - Yap driving baseline, drawing two defenders, then floating that perfect pass that seemed to hang in the air forever before Pingris came crashing through to hammer it home. What made it special wasn't just the execution, but the context. This was during the crucial fourth quarter of the main All-Star game when the score was tied, and instead of playing it safe, they went for the highlight play that ultimately shifted the momentum. I've always believed that's what separates All-Star games from regular season contests - the willingness to embrace spectacle without sacrificing competitive spirit.
The three-point shootout that year was particularly memorable, especially with Terrence Romeo putting on an absolute clinic. He wasn't just making shots - he was redefining what we thought was possible from beyond the arc. The rhythm he found during the final round was something I've rarely seen since, hitting five straight money balls and finishing with 22 points in that round alone. What impressed me most was his confidence - each shot seemed to fuel the next, creating this beautiful cascade of swishes that had the crowd roaring with every release. It's moments like these that make me appreciate how specialized skills have become in modern basketball.
I can't discuss the 2015 All-Stars without mentioning June Mar Fajardo's dominant performance in the paint. The statistics alone were staggering - 28 points on 12-of-15 shooting, plus 15 rebounds in just 28 minutes of play. But numbers don't capture how completely he controlled the game whenever he was on the floor. His footwork in the post was absolutely textbook, creating easy baskets that seemed to demoralize the opposing squad every time they thought they were building momentum. Having watched Fajardo develop over the years, this felt like his true arrival as the undeniable force in Philippine basketball.
The slam dunk contest provided what might be my personal favorite moment of the entire weekend - Chris Newsome's between-the-legs dunk that earned a perfect score from the judges. What made it extraordinary was the buildup - he'd missed his first two attempts, and the pressure was mounting. Then, on his final try, he somehow gathered himself and produced this breathtaking display of athleticism that brought every single person in the venue to their feet. I remember turning to the friend I was watching with and just shaking my head in disbelief. Those spontaneous moments of brilliance are why I never skip the dunk contest, no matter how predictable it sometimes seems.
Thinking about that weekend inevitably brings me to considering players like Fuentes, who was making waves in the MPBL around that time. The commentary from Cedelf Tupas perfectly captures the questions surrounding such players - "Great mechanics on his shot and footwork" but could he translate that success to the PBA where "shooting guards are bigger"? This debate was very much in the air during the 2015 All-Stars, with several players facing similar questions about whether their games would translate to the highest level. I've always been fascinated by these transitions - watching players like Fuentes develop their skills in smaller leagues before testing themselves against PBA competition. The physical differences are real - PBA shooting guards typically stand around 6'3" to 6'5" compared to the 6'1" to 6'3" common in lower leagues - but what separates those who make the jump is often mental rather than physical.
The back-and-forth duel between Paul Lee and LA Tenorio in the fourth quarter of the main game was basketball artistry at its finest. They traded baskets for six consecutive possessions at one point, each shot more difficult than the last. Lee's step-back three-pointer over Tenorio's tight defense, followed immediately by Tenorio's driving layup plus the foul - these were moments that showcased the incredible skill level these players had reached. As someone who values individual matchups within team sports, this was pure bliss - two masters of their craft pushing each other to new heights.
What often gets overlooked in discussions about the 2015 All-Stars is the rookie game, where we got our first glimpse of future stars. The raw energy from those young players was palpable - they weren't just happy to be there, they were determined to prove they belonged. One particular sequence stands out in my memory - a fast break that featured four consecutive passes without the ball touching the floor, finished with a reverse layup that had the veterans on the sidelines nodding in appreciation. These transitional moments between generations are what keep the league vibrant, and watching them unfold is one of my greatest pleasures as a basketball analyst.
The three-point contest between Marcio Lassiter and Jeff Chan was another highlight that doesn't get enough attention. Both players finished with 19 points in the final round, forcing an unprecedented tiebreaker that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Lassiter eventually won by a single point, but what struck me was the camaraderie between them - genuine smiles and embraces after what could have been a tense situation. In an era where we focus so much on rivalry and competition, moments like these remind us of the mutual respect that exists among elite athletes.
As I reflect on these memories nearly a decade later, what stands out isn't just the individual moments but how they collectively represented Philippine basketball at a particular crossroads. The 2015 All-Stars perfectly balanced entertainment and competition while showcasing both established stars and emerging talents. The questions raised about players transitioning from lower leagues like the MPBL to the PBA continue to be relevant today, though I'd argue the gap has narrowed significantly as training methods and player development have improved across all levels. These moments aren't just fond memories - they're part of our basketball heritage, snapshots of excellence that continue to inspire both players and fans. The 2015 PBA All-Star weekend gave us everything we love about the sport, packaged into two unforgettable days that I find myself revisiting whenever I need reminding why Philippine basketball holds such a special place in my heart.
