ONCE again Negrense superstar James Yap of Escalante City, Negros Occidental showed the way in the balloting of players who will see action in the annual Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) All-Star Game next month in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Yap, the former Bacolod Tay Tung High School ace who is Philippine Cup Conference best player and Finals MVP garnered the most number of votes with 28, 444 to become the starting big guard for the South team.
He is joined by three other Derby Ace (Purefoods) players for sposts in the All-Star lineup, namely Kerby Raymundo, Marc Pingris and Paul Artadi.
Pingris, who garnered 20,540 votes, will start out as forward for the North All Stars.
Meanwhile, reigning league MVP Jayjay Helterbrand of Barangay Ginebra, veteran Erik Menk and the high-flying trandem of Cyrus Baguio and JC INtal are the four Gin Kings who have received the most number of votes as possible starting unit for the North and South squads.
Behind MVP Peter June Simon, the South edged out the North in overtime, 163-158, the last time the two teams met in 2008 here in Bacolod City at the West Negros University Gym. (HCV)