PBA: June Mar Fajardo faces ‘difficult’ task as potential All-Star captain

[ad_1]

FILE – San Miguel center June Mar Fajardo tries to score on three Converge defenders during their match in the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. PBA PICTURES

MANILA, Philippines—Juni Mar Fajardo admitted to not knowing the new format for the PBA All-Star Game that could give him the chance to pick the players he wants as teammates.

But trying to form a roster in the event of being one of the two captains for the celebration set from March 9 to 12 in Passi City, Iloilo is something that he considers a challenge.

“It’s going to be tough,” Fajardo said in Filipino after the Beermen’s 105-86 win over Blackwater Bossing in the Governor’s Cup on Wednesday, the same day the league released its preliminary tally of the top 24 players voted by fans.

Early returns saw Fajardo on top with 37.915 followed by Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson with 37.759. A close third was Thompson’s teammate Japeth Aguilar with 37.322.

The top two vote-getters will be chosen as captains for the All-Star Game, using the same format used by the NBA since 2018. They will choose from the other 22 players made on the list.

Also in the top 24 are Jamie Malonzo of Geneva (32,998), Calvin Abueva of Magnolia (32,503), CJ Perez of San Miguel (31,184), Christian Standhardinger of Geneva (29,821), James Yap of Rain or Shine (28,117), and Tenori Geneva2 (28,117). and Stanley Pringle (27,441).

Next are Terrence Romeo of San Miguel (24,821), Jayson Castro of TNT (24,408), Paul Lee of Magnolia (24,126), Robert Bolick of NorthPort (23,468), Pogoy of TNT (20,042), Chris Newsome of Meralco (19,637), Gra87 Ginebra (19,637) ) and TNT’s Mikey Williams (18,826).

Rounding out the round were San Miguel’s Marcio Lassiter (18,556), NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino (18,444), Magnolia’s Mark Barroca (17,139), Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood (15,448), TNT’s Calvin Oftana (15,427) and NLEX’s (15,427). and NLEX15s.

If he remains in the top two until the voting period ends on February 15, the San Miguel star will face various dilemmas.

“I want to vote for my friends [who would be part of the All-Star Game],” he said. “But at the same time, other players might complain.”

The annual showcase will return after not being held for the past two seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Calasiao, Pangasinan hosted the last All-Star in March 2019.

Your subscription cannot be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.