THE duo of James Yap and Jay Washington continued to pace the fan balloting for the 2011 PBA All-Star game set May 18-23 in picturesque Boracay.
With two playdays left before voting came to an end, Yap remained the top choice among PBA fans to lead the South team in the six-day festivities dubbed `Hala Bola Boracay 2011 All Star weekend’. The shooting guard of B-Meg Derby Ace had amassed the highest number of votes at 18,927.
Washington, San Miguel’s versatile big man, received 13,257 for the second highest number of votes and tops among the center/forward spots of the same team.
Final day of voting was last April 10 at the PBA playing venue.
Also getting considerable number of votes for the South team were Kelly Williams (17,636) and Asi Taulava (11,142).
Mark Pingris, another Derby Ace stalwart, continued to lead the North team with a total of 11,250, together with celebrated Barangay Ginebra guard Mark Caguioa (10,080).
Others making the top five list in the North side were Derby Aces’ Kerby Raymundo (9,666), Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood (7,695) and Barangay Ginebra’s duo of Rudy Hatfield (7,668) and JC Intal (6,903).
Another Ginebra player in Ronald Tubid also gained ground, moving up to no. 3 at 9,135 and closing in on Jimmy Alapag (11, 403), while at fourth and fifth places, respectively.
Reserves of both teams will be chosen by the nine PBA coaches, but who are prohibited from voting for their players.
Members of Pilipinas-Smart Gilas team were not included in the voting as the Nationals are set to see action in the 2011 FIBA-Asia Champions Cup from May 28 to June 5 which the country is hosting.
Last year the North All Stars edged out South, 133-132, during the All-Star game held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. [pr]
