YAP, ABUEVA LEAD ALL-STAR VOTING
Perennial top vote-getter James Yap of San Mig Coffee is at it again, leading everybody in the balloting for the 2013 PBA All-Star Game slated May 5 in Digos, Davao del Sur.
A big surprise was Alaska rookie Calvin Abueva coming in second to Yap as of last count on March 15.
Fans have until Sunday to vote for their favorite players to make the All-Star Game that highlights the annual mid-season All-Star Week.
Yap, a two-time league MVP awardee, is looking like a cinch for a 10th PBA All-Star participation with 22,241 votes. Among the guards, Ginebra’s Mark Caguioa is second with 16,097, followed by Alaska’s Cyrus Baguio (12,847), another San Mig Coffee player PJ Simon (10,053), another Ace JV Casio (8,571), Ginebra’s Jayjay Helterbrand (8,444), Petron’s Alex Cabagnot (5,396) and Marcio Lassiter (4,966), Meralco’s Sol Mercado (4,217) and Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee (3,877) and Chris Tiu (3,679).
Abueva is the leader among the forwards/centers with 20,227, ahead of Arwind Santos (18,557), Jay Washington (15,871), Joe Devance (14,648), Chris Ellis (12,596), Rafi Reavis (12,117), Jerwin Gaco (11,431), Sean Anthony (11,256), KG Canaleta (11,081) and rookie Vic Manuel (10,953).
The top two guards and top three centers/forwards at the end of the balloting shall compose the starting five of the PBA All-Stars who will play Gilas Pilipinas in the All-Star main event.
The PBA selection reserves will be chosen by the coaches. Alaska coach Luigi Trillo calls the shots for the team.
The pro league departs from the North versus South and RSJs versus Veterans formats in deference to the national team which it is helping in its buildup for the coming 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.
The PBA has done the same in 1998 and in 2009 for the same purpose of helping the Nationals prepare for an international competition.
Coach Tim Cone and the Phl Centennial Team swept the PBA Selection in two games in 1998 while coach Yeng Guiao and 2009 Phl squad made it 2-1 in their three-game series versus the PBA Stars.
Later this year, the PBA is holding a separate series pitting Gilas Pilipinas and a PBA selection in a provincial tour. (SB)
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