Former UAAP stars headline MPBL All-Star Game starting fives

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Former UAAP standouts will take center stage in the 2026 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) All-Star Game on August 29 at the Ynares Sports Center in Montalban, Rizal.

Leading the South Division’s starting five is two-time UAAP scoring champion Nic Cabañero of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, now with Biñan Tatak Gel, while the North Division will be bannered by former Ateneo Blue Eagles star and two-time UAAP champion Dave Ildefonso of the Abra Weavers.

Although the league has yet to announce the complete All-Star rosters, the unveiling of the first five starters from each division has already generated excitement among MPBL fans.

MPBL All-Star Game starting 5

Joining Cabañero in the South Division are Cebu Greats scoring ace Mark Meneses, former Adamson Soaring Falcons big man Cedrick Manzano of the Quezon Huskers, Jhan Nermal of Batangas City, and Hesed Gabo of the GenSan Warriors.

The North Division’s starting unit, meanwhile, features Ildefonso alongside his Abra teammate and former La Salle Green Archer Raven Gonzales, former Ateneo Blue Eagle Kymani Ladi of Caloocan, Warlo Batac of Pasig, and Orlan Wamar of San Juan.

Ildefonso enters the All-Star break fresh off a dominant performance, leading Abra to a 130–76 rout of Pasig City with a rare triple-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists, and five steals.

Cabañero has been one of the league’s brightest offensive stars this MPBL season, averaging 17.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game.

Meneses has also been a key contributor for the Cebu Greats, ranking as the team’s second-leading scorer with averages of 16.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.

Manzano is averaging 11.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per outing, while Ladi has posted 12.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for Caloocan.

Gabo, meanwhile, has paced GenSan with 12.8 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per contest. He also recently became the first player in MPBL history to record 1,000 career assists.

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