Team Solid North leaned on clutch baskets from Japeth Aguilar and Justin Arana late to pull off a 147-142 victory over Team South in the PBA All-Star Game on Sunday night at the Candon City Arena.
Aguilar led the way with 29 points, while Arana delivered in the final period, scoring 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter to help the North secure its sixth straight win over the South dating back to the 2010 edition of the PBA‘s midseason showcase.
With the game deadlocked late, Arana scored back-to-back baskets to give the North a 144-142 advantage with 70 seconds remaining.
Aguilar then put the game away moments later, finishing a fastbreak dunk that set the final score.
Japeth Aguilar Gets PBA All-Star Game MVP—Again
The 39-year-old Barangay Ginebra big man was perfect on the night with his jams, converting all seven of his dunk attempts. He also grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 2 assists en route to being named PBA All-Star Game MVP.
It marked Aguilar’s third time winning the award. He previously shared the honor with Arwind Santos in 2019 and with Robert Bolick in 2024.
“I just want to enjoy the All-Star game and give the fans a show,” Aguilar said.
With the victory, Aguilar became only the third player to win the All-Star MVP three times, joining Vergel Meneses, who won it four times, and Terrence Romeo, who also has three.
Cjay Perez finished with a game-high 32 points, including 7-of-17 shooting from the combined three-point and four-point lines, as the North team built an early lead that reached as much as 43-25 in the opening quarter.
Converge rookie Juan Gomez de Liaño also impressed in his All-Star debut, finishing with 23 points, while Adrian Nocum added 22 as the Leo Austria-coached North squad claimed the ₱250,000 prize.
South Surge Not Enough to Win PBA All-Star Game
Alec Stockton had 29 points for the South in a losing effort.
RJ Abarrientos contributed 26 points, Calvin Oftana added 23, Caelan Tiongson finished with 17, and Leonard Santillan chipped in 14 as the South team, coached by Chot Reyes, rallied to take a 121-118 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Abarrientos briefly put the South ahead for the final time, 142-140, after knocking down a three-pointer, before Arana and Aguilar sparked the North’s late surge to seal the win.
Earlier, the traditional Arena Social dance contest held before the PBA All-Star Game ended in a draw, with the North and South teams sharing the combined ₱125,000 prize money.
The event was also supported by Healthy and Pure Brand, Pocari Sweat, Molten, LGR, Centrum Kids, and the Tinapayan Festival.
