Llamados’ Yap leads way in PBA All-Star voting

Philippine Cup Finals most valuable player (MVP) James Yap and three of his Derby Aces teammates might get the chance to see action in the PBA All-Star game next month in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Yap, who is also the Philippine Cup’s best player of the conference, is the top vote getter among fans for the April 23 to 25 mid-season event with 28,844 followed by teammate Marc Pingris (20,540) and Llamados captain Kerby Raymundo (19,558).

The former University of the East King Warrior is the top choice to lead the North All-Star team’s backcourt together with Ginebra’s Cyrus Baguio at ninth place with 14,136. Artadi is the other Derby Ace player that made it to the Top 10 with 13,664 as he is destined to share backcourt duties in the South All-Star squad with reigning league MVP Jayjay Helterbrand of Ginebra (15,916). The Kings’ JC Intal, who had a breakout Philippine Cup season, will join Pingris and Raymundo in the South team’s frontcourt after collecting 15,792 votes for sixth place. Leading the North’s big men are Sta. Lucia’s Kelly Williams (19,482), Ginebra’s Eric Menk (15,420) and Coca-Cola’s Asi Taulava (15,250). PBA fans have less than two weeks left to vote for their favorite players. The deadline is on April 4. Aside from online voting at www.pba.ph, voting booths can be located at game venues either at the Araneta Coliseum or Cuneta Astrodome. The PBA’s 10 coaches will choose the remaining players for the North and South teams. A coach, however, cannot vote for his own player. The South All-Stars, behind MVP Peter June Simon, scored a 163-158 overtime win over their Northern counterparts in the 2008 edition in Bacolod City. – GMANews.TV