Arwind Santos, JV Casio lead PBA All-Star Game top bets

MANILA, Philippines – Perennial MVP contender Arwind Santos of Petron Blaze and crack rookie JV Casio of Powerade are the early frontrunners for starting spots in the Veterans and Rookies, Sophomores, Juniors team for this year’s PBA All-Star Game.

The reedy Santos, who lost to Gary David in the Player of the Conference balloting in the Philippine Cup, has garnered 28,821 votes with Casio leading with a total of 30,544.

Fans have another week to select members of the Veterans and RSJ sides, which will be mentored by Chot Reyes of Talk ‘N Text and Powerade’s Bo Perasol, respectively.

The event is set May 10 to 13 in Laoag City.

The other leading candidates for the starting RSJ backcourt positions in the annual classic are No. 2 pick Paul Lee of Rain or Shine with 29,763 votes and Marc Barroca of B-Meg with 20,067.

Chris Lutz, the injured Petron wingman, has 29,018 votes and leads the RSJ for a center-forward spot. Marcio Lassiter of Powerade has 27,347, while Japeth Aguilar has 23,418.

James Yap of B-Meg and Mark Caguioa of Barangay Ginebra are on top among veteran guards, with Yap getting 23,430 votes and Caguioa 18,635.

David is running third with 14,293.

Reigning MVP Jimmy Alapag of Talk ‘N Text is a distant sixth with just 12,728 votes. Coaches of the eight other teams will fill the remaining seven members of both all-star rosters.