JAPETH Aguilar and Scottie Thompson held sway in the final round of balloting to emerge as the top two fans' choices to lead the PBA All-Star in Passi City, Iloilo on March 12.
The 6-foot-9 Aguilar kept the no. 1 spot as voting ended last Feb. 15, tallying a total of 1,239,665 votes, while Thompson, the reigning league MVP, completed a 1-2 finish for Barangay Ginebra by placing second with 1,217,226 votes.
The Ginebra teammates will serve as captain of the two opposing teams playing in the season-ending showcase which is making a return after a three-year absence.
Aguilar and Thompson are set to pick the players joining them in their respective teams during the scheduled drafting on Feb. 20.
Six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, the no. 1 vote-getter during the initial round of balloting, ended up at no. 3 (1,207,592), while Jamie Malonzo (1,196,423) and Christian Standhardinger (1,191,379) made it four Barangay Ginebra players finishing within the Top 5 list.
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Tim Cone of Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine's Yeng Guiao call the shots for each All-Star team as they garnered the most number of votes with 1,291,785 and 1,231,538, respectively.
Two-time MVP and comebacking James Yap finished a strong sixth in the balloting with 1,190,624, while LA Tenorio (1,189,717), Calvin Abueva (1,188,589), Mark Barroca (1,184,644), and Stanley Pringle (1,181,724) rounded up the Top 10.
CJ Perez leads the next batch at no. 11 with 1,180,646 followed by Paul Lee (1,165,872), Jayson Castro (1,165,736), rookies Gian Mamuyac (1,164,660) and Jeremiah Gray (1,162,243), Terrence Romeo (1,161,539), Robert Bolick (1,155,233), Marcio Lassiter (1,153,092), Arvin Tolentino (1,152,747), and Roger Pogoy (1,149,535).
Completing the 24-man list were Kevin Alas (1,148,628), Chris Newsome (1,148,099), Nards Pinto (1,146,069), and Mikey Williams (1,145,919).
Four players made it as reserves in Gabe Norwood (1,139,142), Jeff Chan (1,136,760), Calvin Oftana (1,134,790), and Jio Jalalon (1,134,602) in case any of the 24 players won't be available due to injuries.
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Meanwhile, Rain or Shine guard Shaun Ildefonso topped the balloting for the Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors teams with 1,190,719 votes, while Calvin Oftana finished a strong second with 1,190,448.
Making it to the Top 10 were Tyler Tio (1,185,632), Aaron Black (1,183,150), Justin Arana (1,182,979), Jerrick Ahanmisi (1,180,125), Matt Nieto (1,167,491), Mike Nieto (1,165,341), Jerrick Balanza (1,162,405), and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser (1,159,661).
Others who made it were RK Ilagan (1,158,559), Allyn Bulanadi (1,158,297), Ato Ular (1,157,824), Isaac Go (1,157,181), Anton Assistio (1,154,429), Joshua Munzon (1,152,666), Aris Dionisio (1,150,009), Encho Serrano (1,149,128), Adrian Wong (1,148,850), and Javi Gomez de Liano (1,148,579).
RSJ reserves include Alec Stockton (1,147,716), Andrei Caracut (1,145,951), Aljun Melecio (1,144,913), and Kent Salado (1,144,335). (RG)
