MANILA, Philippines - Former Best Import awardee Rosell Ellis of Alaska and prolific scorer Tiras Wade of Talk ‘N Text were the top choices to reinforce the North and South teams in its three-game series against the Powerade Team Pilipinas in the coming Motolite-PBA All-Star extravaganza.

Ellis, who steered the Aces to the 2007 Fiesta Cup title, will power the South selection of coach Tim Cone, while the North quintet of coach Chot Reyes gets the benefit of playing together with Wade, the high-scoring Tropang Texters import who’s currently among the leading contenders for the Best Import plum.

The two were handpicked by league commissioner Sonny Barrios primarily to add depth to the two All-Star squads that will engage Asi Taulava and the rest of the national team in three successive games beginning April 22 in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, as a special edition of the league’s mid-season classic for the year 2009.

The PBA decided to deviate from its traditional North vs South All-Star Game this season to help the RP squad of coach Yeng Guiao get warm up for two major international events, including the FIBA-Asia men’s basketball championship in China four months from now.

Teaming up with Ellis in the South team are fellow imports Jeff Varem of Barako Bull and Coca-Cola’s James Penny.


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