June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson lead first voting returns for PBA All-Star

FILE – San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Beer cornerstone June Mar Fajardo led all players in the first fan returns for the 2023 PBA All-Star Game released Wednesday.

Fajardo, the league’s only six-time MVP, topped the list with 37,915 votes.

Barangay Ginebra stars Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar and Jamie Malonzo, meanwhile, were also among the top vote-getters.

Thompson, the reigning MVP, is closely behind Fajardo with 37,759 while high-fliers Aguilar and Malonzo follow with 37,322 votes and 32,988, respectively.

Magnolia forward Calvin Abueva places fifth with 32,503.

Completing the top 10 are San Miguel’s CJ Perez (31,184), Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger (29,821), Rain or Shine’s James Yap (28,117), and Gin Kings’ LA Tenorio (28,027) and Stanley Pringle (27,441).

Voting began on January 25 and will end on February 15.

Taking a page out of the NBA’s All-Star format, the top two players finishing with the most votes will serve as team captains and earn the right to form their respective teams through drafting.

This year’s All-Star festivities, the first after a three-year absence due to the pandemic, will be held from March 9 to 12 in Passi City, Iloilo.

Ginebra’s Tim Cone and Rain or Shine’s Yeng Guiao lead the voting for the top two coaches.