NORMAN Black and Yeng Guiao will have their comeback and Nash Racela his baptism of fire as the three coaches make their way in next week's PBA All-Star.
The three champion mentors take over the coaching chores from Chot Reyes as they take turns handling the Smart-PBA All-Star national team that will go up against the three All-Star selections during the May 23-27 event with Phoenix Fuel - Phoenix Pulse Technology as major sponsor.
Black gets his hands first against the Mindanao All-Star coached by long-time rival Tim Cone on May 23 in Digos, Davao del Sur.
Then on the 25th in Batangas City, Guiao will handle the national team versus coach Leo Austria and the Luzon All-Star.
Finally, Racela calls the shots for the national squad on the 27th when it battles Chito Victolero and the Visayas All-Star in the final leg of the mid-season classic also backed by Peak Sports Apparel, Molten, Rain or Shine, Gatorade, TAGHeuer, Nature's Spring, and PBA Rush-Cignal.
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This serves as a homecoming of sorts for both Black and Guiao.
Black last coached an All-Star game in 1997 yet, while Guiao was at the helm of the North All-Star team that thrashed the South All-Star in a high-scoring game, 154-151, during the 2016 edition of the meet held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meanwhile, a special three-point shootout featuring Senator Manny Pacquiao and Special Assistant to the President Bong Go serves as special feature in the kickoff leg of this year's PBA All-Star Week.
Pacquiao, the former playing-coach of Columbian Dyip (formerly KIA) and Go, will be joined by Presidential son-in-law and lawyer Mans Carpio and Maj. Michael Sabsal in the contest to be held during the first phase of the mid-season spectacle at the Davao del Sur Coliseum on May 23.
The three public officials will team up with PBA greats Allan Caidic and Kenneth Duremdes, together with Magnolia Pambansang Manok veteran Peter June Simon, a native of Makilala, Cotabato, who became a big collegiate star in Davao prior to taking his act in the Big City. Sabsal will be teaming up with Barangay Ginebra guard Scottie Thompson, who is from Digos.
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Basketball Legends Atoy Co, Alvin Patrimonio, Bogs Adornado and Benjie Paras will take part in the Batangas leg as judges of the Slam Dunk contest.
