MAGNOLIA's veteran guard Mark Barroca and Barangay Ginebra's athletic big man Japeth Aguilar are set to skipper their respective squads after topping the 2024 PBA All-Star fan balloting.

By getting the most fan votes for this year's All-Star Game set in Bacolod City next month, Barroca and Aguilar get to choose their players for the pro league's mid-season festivities.

The 37-year-old Barroca and Aguilar, both former members of the original Gilas Pilipinas team under Rajko Toroman, will have the chance to choose from the pool of 27 players, who were selected by fans, coaches, the media and the host city.

On the other hand, the PBA's all-time winningest coach Tim Cone of Barangay Ginebra and newly minted Commissioner's Cup champion Jorge Gallent of San Miguel Beer will serve as coaches in this year's PBA All-Star Game after garnering the most number of fan votes in balloting both from online and the game venue.

Members of the 27 players voted are led by seven-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Calvin Abueva, Christian Standhardinger, Jamie Malonzo, Maverick Ahanmisi, CJ Perez and Paul Lee, last season's All-Star MVP.

Also included are Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, Stanley Pringle, Terrence Romeo, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Newsome, Arvin Tolentino, Jio Jalalon, Ian Sangalang, Robert Bolick, Nards Pinto, Juami Tiongson, Gabe Norwood and rookie guard Ricci Rivero.

Meanwhile, Blackwater's newly acquired gunner James Yap has been selected by host city Bacolod to be part of the All-Star Game, while the coaches and media voted for the inclusion of Phoenix forward Jason Perkins and guard Tyler Tio, San Miguel sniper Don Trollano and Meralco veteran Cliff Hodge.

Last year's All-Star festivities saw Team Scottie score a thrilling 140-136 victory over Team Japeth in Passi, Iloilo.

Read The Rest at :