After a week of fan voting, the PBA All-Star lineup took a major twist.
Barangay Ginebra big man Japeth Aguilar dislodged San Miguel Beer counterpart June Mar Fajardo at no. 1 as he now leads the voting following the second wave of ballots cast by fans from Feb. 1 to 7.
The high-flying, 6’9” center surged on top from his previous spot at no. 3 after receiving 190,273 votes.
Teammate Scottie Thompson on the other hand, kept his hold on no. 2 with 186,187 votes, while Fajardo dipped at third spot with 183,903.
Rain or Shine rookie Gian Mamuyac made a giant leap after barging in the Top 10 list at no. 6 with a total of 170,359 votes.
It was indeed, a huge turnaround for the young rookie out of Ateneo, who even didn’t make it to the Top 24 during the initial tally of votes last week.
Ginebra’s Jamie Malonzo and Calvin Abueva of Magnolia kept their respective slots at fourth and fifth with 174,112 and 172,383 votes, respectively.
Returning two-time MVP James Yap went a notch higher at no. 7 with 170,313, followed by Christian Standhardinger of Ginebra (169,718), San Miguel’s CJ Perez, who fell three spots below at no. 9 (169,036), and Ginebra’s LA Tenorio (166,317).
Voting online and onsite continues until Feb. 15. The All-Star weekend is slated March 9 to 12 in Passi City, Iloilo.
Fans’ choices for the two coaching slots remain in favor of veterans Tim Cone (224,430) and Yeng Guiao (208,429). PBA rookie coach Aldin Ayo is still at no. 3 with 142,155, while Magnolia’s Chito Victolero has overtaken Norman Black of Meralco at no. 4 with 129,590.
The rest of the players who made it to the Top 24 list were Stanley Pringle (163,595), Paul Lee (156,482), Jayson Castro (155,800), Terrence Romeo (155,651), Robert Bolick (150,241), Mark Barroca (147,995), Jeremiah Gray (146,966), Marcio Lassiter (145,335), Roger Pogoy (145,274), Arvin Tolentino (144,439), Chris Newsome (144,422), Mikey Williams (142,810), Kevin Alas (137,626), and Gabe Norwood (137,445).
Mamuyac naturally, now leads the fans’ choices for the Rookie/Sophomores-Juniors game with a separate votes of 205,616.
The duo of Malonzo (194,340) and Gray (179,800) occupy the next two spots followed by Tolentino (171,840), and Calvin Oftana (171,840).
Others who are in the Top 20 list include Shaun Ildefonso (170,635), Justin Arana (166,968), Aaron Black (166,539), Tyler Tio (165,989), Mikey Williams (165,778), Jerrick Ahanmisi (162,471), Brandon Rosser (152,100), Jerrick Balanza (151,865), RK Ilagan (151,145), Allyn Bulanadi (150,521), Isaac Go (148,919), Mike Nieto (146,878), Matt Nieto (146,583), Joshua Munzon (146,286), and Anton Asistio (146,058).
