FILE–Barangay Ginebra forward Japeth Aguilar dunks against San Miguel Beer in the 2022 PBA PhilippineCup at Mall of Asia Arena. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Players from Barangay Ginebra who would be selected in the PBA All-Star Game could be split into two teams after Japeth Aguilar moved on top of the balloting for the return of the exhibition classic next month in Passi City, Iloilo.
The former All-Star Most Valuable Player leapfrogged teammate Scottie Thompson and San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo after receiving 190,273 votes with a week left before the end of the proceedings.
Thompson remained at No. 2 with 186,187 votes while Fajardo, who led all players after the initial returns were released, slid to third with 183,903.
The top two votegetters will be named captains for the All-Star set March 9 to 12, marking the return of the event last held four years ago in Calasiao, Pangasinan.
They are also tasked to draft the players of their choosing from the 22 others who will make it to the All-Star extravaganza.
And if things stay the same, Aguilar and Thompson will have a difficult responsibility of which Gin Kings they’ll pick for their teams.
Five Ginebra players are inside the top 24, namely Jamie Malonzo (fourth), Christian Standhardinger (eighth), LA Tenorio (10th), Stanley Pringle (11th) and rookie Jeremiah Gray (17th).
Magnolia’s Calvin Abueva is fifth while Rain or Shine rookie Gian Mamuyac made a huge climb to sixth followed by veteran teammate James Yap.
San Miguel Beer’s CJ Perez is ninth, Magnolia’s Paul Lee is 12th, followed by TNT’s Jayson Castro, San Miguel Beer’s Terrence Romeo, NorthPort’s Robert Bolick and Magnolia’s Mark Barroca.
In 18th is San Miguel Beer’s Marcio Lassiter, with TNT’s RR Pogoy, NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino, Meralco’s Chris Newsome, TNT’s Mikey Williams, NLEX’s Kevin Alas and Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood.
No movements as voting for the coaches with Ginebra’s Tim Cone ahead with 224,380 votes and Rain or Shine’s Yeng Guiao is second with 208,429.