Game today:

(University of Saint La Salle gym)

6:30 p.m. — Team Japeth vs Team Mark

Team Japeth and Team Mark won't be pulling punches when they meet for the Philippine Basketball Association's All-Star Game.

Both squads vow to make the mid-season spectacle's return to Bacolod City after 16 years, to be an action-packed, thrilling and memorable one for the fans expected to fill the University of Saint La Salle gymnasium.

Game time is set at 6:30 p.m.

"In this All-Star, of course, we have a lot of fans here. They only see us playing on TV so this time we're going to make it extra special for them," Team Mark skipper Mark Barroca said.

The Magnolia guard will try to lead the Jorge Gallent-mentored squad past the back-to-back-seeking Team Japeth.

"We prepared well as Coach (Gallent) said we're treating this game as a regular game. It's going to be a real battle of skills," added Barroca, who is making his first visit to the city since helping his college team Far Eastern University capture the 2008 University Games title.

"We'll showcase all of that here for the fans. Hopefully, we'll be able to encourage and inspire the young kids with how we play."

Gallent, who recently steered San Miguel Beer to the Commissioner's Cup championship, has expressed excitement in his first All-Star head coaching stint.

"Of course, I'm very excited because this is my first time as an All-Star coach and I'm very happy about it. I thank the fans for choosing me," he said.

Helping Barroca out are June Mar Fajardo, Jason Perkins, CJ Perez, Robert Bolick, Jio Jalalon, Ian Sangalang, James Yap, Calvin Abueva, Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, Ricci Rivero, Cliff Hodge, Juami Tiongson, and Nards Pinto.