PUREFOODS superstar James Yap underscored his soaring popularity in the just-concluded balloting for starters of the North and South teams of this year’s All-Stars Game (ASG).

The former Most Valuable Player (MVP) from Escalante, Negros Occidental, received 50,763 votes, the highest among candidates for both teams, and earned his fifth start in the league’s annual spectacle. 

Interestingly, Yap, a starter in each of the last four years of the ASG dating back to his rookie year in 2004, was the only player voted by fans, either through actual voting at the game venue or the league’s official web site, www.pba.ph., to breach the 50,000 mark.

Two other consistent starters—Coca-Cola big man Asi Taulava (36,312) and Talk ’N Text playmaker Jimmy Alapag (22,752)—will join Yap in the South team that also includes Sta. Lucia’s Kelly Williams (38,832) and Magnolia’s Danny Seigle (38,448) in the frontcourt rotation.

Do-it-all Magnolia forward Mark Pingris was the top vote-getter among the North All-Stars with 35,578 votes.

With Pingris on the team are Purefoods slotman Kerby Raymundo (32,274), Magnolia hotshots Lordy Tugade (19,374) and the Ginebra backcourt duo of Mark Caguioa (29,775) and Jayjay Helterbrand (26,244).

A starter in the ASG for the first time in his eight-year career, Tugade earned the spot by taking over the slot of Purefoods’s Romel Adducul (21,903). The former San Sebastian King Stag is out of commission after being diagnosed with cancer. Tugade finished fourth behind Adducul in the balloting.

The remaining slots on both teams will be filled by the votes of all 10 PBA coaches before the All-Star weekend in Bacolod City, slated from April 24 to 27. A coach, however, could not vote for his own players.

Helterbrand and Alaska’s Willie Miller sparked a big endgame comeback by the North All-Stars last year to prevail, 145-142. The two emerged co-MVP of the annual spectacle.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and West Negros College president Suzette Agustin are making the staging of the All-Star festivities in the “City of Smiles” possible.

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Bacolod City—Defending champion University of the Visayas (UV) and three-time titlist Southwestern U (SWU) inched closer to a return trip to Boracay after posting convincing wins in the second day of the 12th Nestea Beach Volley National Circuit Visayas Elimination at the University of Saint La Salle.

SPECULATION has risen that communications mogul Manny V. Pangilinan may consider leaving his post as president of the Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP).

PUREFOODS superstar James Yap underscored his soaring popularity in the just-concluded balloting for starters of the North and South teams of this year’s All-Stars Game (ASG).

Justin Mihalik homered to cap Muntinlupa’s come-from-behind win over Tanauan City, 12-11, Wednesday at the start of the second round of hostilities of the 2008 Little League Philippine Series major league (11 to 12 years old division) boys’ baseball tournament at the Alabang Golf and Country Club field.

THE country’s No. 1, Cecil Mamiit, is not intimidated at all despite having to face highly-ranked opponents in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I relegation tie from April 11 to 13, and believes the duel would give them the chance to excel against tough opponents.

THE National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) and the Asian Tour would have to look for a new venue for the 2009 Philippine Open because the fabled East course of Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, host venue the last three years, would undergo a major renovation very soon.

SINCE time immemorial, summer has always meant fun and games, beach fun, pool side pranks, and laughter to go with it.