I still get chills thinking about the 2012 PBA All-Star Weekend—it was one of those events where you could feel the electricity in the air from the moment you stepped into the venue. As someone who’s covered Philippine basketball for over a decade, I’ve seen my fair share of All-Star games, but 2012 stands out for its blend of raw talent, unexpected drama, and unforgettable individual performances. What made it particularly special, at least from my perspective, was watching the Rain or Shine contingent, officially dubbed Team C-3, take center stage. That squad—John Matthew Manalang, Ethan Galang, John Bravo, John Edcel Rojas, Alfred Sedillo, Jack Cruz-Dumont, Mitchelle Maynes, Gab Gomez, Kenny Rocacurva, and Vincent Cunanan—wasn’t just a random collection of players; they embodied the underdog spirit that fans adore, and they delivered moments that have since become part of PBA lore.
Let’s start with what I consider the most thrilling moment: John Matthew Manalang’s jaw-dropping three-point barrage in the final quarter of the rookie-sophomore game. I remember leaning forward in my seat, my notebook forgotten, as he sank four consecutive triples in under two minutes. The stats later showed he finished with 28 points, but numbers don’t capture the sheer audacity of those shots—each one felt like a statement. Manalang wasn’t just scoring; he was putting on a clinic in confidence, and the crowd’s roar seemed to shake the entire arena. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love basketball—the way one player can seize the game and make it theirs. Meanwhile, Ethan Galang and John Bravo teamed up for a defensive masterclass that, honestly, I think gets overlooked too often. In one sequence, Galang stripped the ball near mid-court, and Bravo finished with a reverse layup that had everyone on their feet. Their chemistry was palpable; it wasn’t just about steals or blocks—they combined for what I’d estimate was around 5 forced turnovers in that half alone—but about how they read each other’s movements instinctively. I’ve always believed defense wins hearts in All-Star games, and these two proved it.
Then there was John Edcel Rojas, whose aerial artistry in the slam dunk contest left me speechless. I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for high-flying antics, but Rojas took it to another level with that 360-degree windmill dunk. The judges scored it a perfect 50, and rightly so—it was pure poetry in motion. What made it even better was how he fed off the energy of his Rain or Shine teammates, especially Alfred Sedillo and Jack Cruz-Dumont, who were hyping him up from the sidelines. Sedillo, by the way, brought his own flair to the three-point shootout, though I have to say, his performance was a bit of a rollercoaster. He started slow, hitting maybe 3 of his first 8 attempts, but then caught fire and nailed 7 in a row. In the end, he tallied 18 points in the final round, which put him in third place, but his resilience stuck with me. It’s that kind of grit that defines Rain or Shine as a franchise, and seeing it play out in an All-Star setting was a treat.
Off the court, the camaraderie among the Rain or Shine guys was just as memorable. I recall spotting Mitchelle Maynes and Gab Gomez joking around during warm-ups, and Kenny Rocacurva sharing tips with Vincent Cunanan—it felt less like a competition and more like a family reunion. That human element is something I always try to highlight in my coverage because it’s what transforms good events into great ones. One moment that really encapsulated this was when Jack Cruz-Dumont, who didn’t get as much playing time, spent the entire timeout cheering on his peers from the bench. It’s easy to focus on the stars, but those supportive roles often shape the team’s spirit, and in 2012, Rain or Shine had that in spades.
Wrapping it up, the 2012 PBA All-Star Weekend wasn’t just a showcase of skills; it was a narrative of heart and hustle, driven by Rain or Shine’s standout crew. From Manalang’s shooting spectacle to Rojas’ dunking brilliance, each moment felt like a chapter in a larger story—one that I still revisit when I need a reminder of why Philippine basketball captivates me. As the final buzzer sounded, I walked away convinced that this edition would be talked about for years, and honestly, it still is. If you ask me, that’s the mark of a truly unforgettable event—it leaves you craving more, long after the lights dim.