Ilonggo fans are excited to witness their idols hitting the court in the much-anticipated PBA All-Star Games in Passi City.
The city will host the tournament on March 12, featuring Team Japhet and Team Scottie.
The Barangay Ginebra teammates made it a 1-2 finish at the end of the fans balloting and will serve as captains of the two teams competing in the March 12 showcase in Passi City, Iloilo.
The 6-foot-9 Aguilar maintained the top spot with 1,239,665 votes, while Thompson locked in the no. 2 spot with 1,217,226 votes.
Top vote-getter June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel finished at no. 3 with 1,207,592. The 6-foot-11 Fajardo was the only non-Ginebra player to make it in the Top 5 as Jamie Malonzo (1,196,423) and Christian Standhardinger (1,191,379) were just behind the six-time MVP in the balloting.
For Jeronel Fieldad, he’s excited to watch the game live and meet his idols. “This is a great chance for us to see them personally. We don’t need to go to Manila to watch their games. They are here in Iloilo now,” he added.
Meanwhile, Tim Cone also made it to Ginebra’s All-Star party as he topped the balloting among coaches with 1,291,785. Yeng Guiao of Rain or Shine tabbed the other coaching spot with 1,231,538 votes for no. 2.
LA Tenorio and Stanley Pringle barged in the top 10, with two-time MVP James Yap, and teammates Calvin Abueva and Mark Barroca the three other players who do not belong to the list.
As the top two vote getters, Aguilar and Thompson will captain the two All-Star team competing in the showcase whose format has been revised. A drafting of the 22 remaining players who will join Aguilar and Thompson’s teams is set.
Other players who made it to the cut were CJ Perez, Paul Lee, Jayson Castro, rookies Gian Mamuyac and Jeremiah Gray, Terrence Romeo, Robert Bolick, Marcio Lassiter, Arvin Tolentino, Roger Pogoy, Kevin Alas, Chris Newsome, Nards Pinto, and Mikey Williams.
Four players made it as reserves in Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan, Calvin Oftana, and Jio Jalalon in case any of the 24 players won’t be available due to injuries.
Rain or Shine guard Shaun Ildefonso on the other hand, shot his way to the top of the balloting for the Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors teams with 1,190,719 votes, with Oftana finishing a strong second.
The complete lineup includes Tyler Tio, Aaron Black, Justin Arana, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Matt Nieto, Mike Nieto, Jerrick Balanza,Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, RK Ilagan, Allyn Bulanadi, Ato Ular, Isaac Go, Anton Assistio, Joshua Munzon, Aris Dionisio, Encho Serrano, Adrian Wong, and Javi Gomez de Liano.
Among the reserves include Alec Stockton, Andrei Caracut, Aljun Melecio, and Kent Salado.
“We are excited to witness the games and meet our idols. We’ve been praying for this one to happen and now that it’s coming true, we can’t wait to cheer for them,” shared Ilonggo fan Ranz Ramos.
Ilonggos are expected to have an entertaining basketball games with most of their idols converge in one court.IMT Sports
