JAMES Yap expectedly emerged as the frontrunner in the early balloting for the coming 2011 PBA All-Star game the island paradise of Boracay is hosting for the first time on May 18-23. Yap, the league’s two-time Most Valuable Player from Derby Ace, received a total of 7,452 votes to lead all candidates for the North and South teams competing in the 2011 All-Star weekend.
The former University of the East star emerged as tops among backcourt players for the South squad that also included Talk N Text’s Jimmy Alapag (4,338), Cyrus Baguio of Alaska (3,933), Air21’s Dondon Hontiveros (3,303) and Ronald Tubid of Barangay Ginebra (2,763).
Among the South big men (center/forwards), San Miguel’s Jay Washington leads the pack with 4,824 votes, followed by Kelly Williams of Talk N Text (4,194), Meralco’s Asi Taulava (3,798), Ginebra’s Eric Menk (3,240) and the Alaska duo of Joe Devance (2,997) and Sonny Thoss (2,799).
Yap’s teammate, Mark Pingris, received the highest number of votes so far among players from the North side.
The energetic forward tallied 3,807 votes to lead the list of top North big men. Runnig second is fellow Llamados Kerby Raymundo with 3,312, followed by Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood, the 2010 All-Star MVP, with 2,988.
Likewise getting the nod of the fans were Ginebra’s JC Intal (2,466), veteran San Miguel center Danny Ildefonso (2,160) and Ginebra’s Rudy Hatfield (2,124).
