The 2024 PBA All-Star festivities are just around the corner, and the buzz is palpable. Fans eagerly await the clash of basketball titans, the dazzling skills on display, and the chance to witness their favorite players shine on the grand stage. But amidst the excitement, there’s one name missing from the lineup that has left fans scratching their heads: Cade Flores.
Cade Flores, the promising rookie from Northport Batang Pier, didn’t mince words when expressing his disappointment. He felt the sting of being left out of the Rookie-Sophomore-Junior (RSJ) game, a showcase meant to celebrate the league’s young talents. While he harbors no ill will toward his fellow rookies, sophomores, and juniors, Flores believes the selection process boiled down to a popularity contest.
“I was like, probably it was a popularity contest,” Flores candidly shared. His omission from the RSJ game raises eyebrows, especially considering his stellar performance this season. As the second-best rookie in the league, trailing only Terrafirma’s Stephen Holt, Flores has proven himself on the court. His stats speak volumes, and if the RSJ game were based purely on merit, he would undoubtedly be part of it.
Let’s delve into the numbers. At the end of the season-opening Commissioner’s Cup, Cade Flores sits comfortably in the second spot for the coveted Rookie of the Year award. His impact on Northport’s game has been undeniable, and his inclusion in the RSJ game seemed like a no-brainer. Yet, somehow, he found himself on the outside looking in.
The official voting results revealed the 20-man roster for Team Greats and Team Stalwarts. While deserving players made the cut, Flores’s absence stands out. The likes of Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Javi Gomez De Liano, and others secured their spots. But where’s Cade?
Here’s the twist: Cade Flores’s omission from the RSJ game might be a more significant oversight than any name left out of the All-Star game itself. The RSJ game was meant to showcase young talents—the rising stars who embody the league’s future. By excluding Flores, the league missed an opportunity to highlight a player who epitomizes that spirit.
Flores isn’t one to back down. He acknowledges the snub but sees it as motivation. “I just got to play better and show what I got for this conference,” he asserted. And play better he did. In Northport’s recent 112-104 come-from-behind win over Converge, Flores contributed 14 points and 14 rebounds. It was a statement game—a reminder that he belongs among the league’s best.
As the PBA All-Star festivities draw near, fans will miss witnessing Cade Flores’s explosive plays in the RSJ game. But perhaps this snub will ignite a fire within him, propelling him to even greater heights. The spotlight may have dimmed momentarily, but don’t count him out. Cade Flores is determined to prove that he’s an All-Star in the making.
So, as the stars gather in Bacolod City, remember the name: Cade Flores. The snubbed rookie with a point to prove. The one who could have lit up the RSJ game. And who knows? Maybe next year, he’ll be the headline act in the All-Star game itself.
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