GINEBRA center Christian Standhardinger emerged as the top pick for the second straight year in the drafting of players for the PBA All-Star game set in Bacolod next month.
Standhardinger was tabbed No. 1 by Team Japeth Aguilar during the official All-Star drafting last Monday night at the TV 5 Media Center in Mandaluyong.
Team Marc Barroca countered by picking reigning seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo as the second pick overall.
Aguilar and Barroca emerged as the top two players who received the highest number of fan votes and became outright captains of the two All-Star teams competing in the March 22-24 festivities.
Coaching Team Japeth is Kings tactician Tim Cone, while Team Barroca will have San Miguel Beer’s Jorge Gallent calling the shots. Cone and Gallent were also the two coaches who received the highest number of fan votes.
Aguilar earned the right to pick first over Barroca after winning the coin flip made by pro league chief Willie Marcial.
Aside from Standhardinger, Team Japeth also has four other Ginebra cagers in its 14-man roster in Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, Maverick Ahanmisi, and Stanley Pringle.
Completing the team are Paul Lee (Magnolia), Calvin Oftana (TNT), Chris Newsome (Meralco), Don Trollano (SMB), Marcio Lassiter (SMB), Arvin Tolentino (Northport), Tyler Tio (Phoenix), and Terrence Romeo (SMB).
Team Barroca added three Magnolia standouts in Jio Jalalon, Ian Sangalang, and Calvin Abueva to team up with the 6-foot-10 Fajardo.
Others in the Barroca roster are Jason Perkins (Phoenix), CJ Perez (SMB), Robert Bolick (NLEX), James Yap (Blackwater), Jayson Castro (TNT), Gabe Norwood (Rain or Shine), Cliff Hodge (Meralco), Juami Tiongson (Terrafirma), Nards Pinto (Ginebra), and rookie Ricci Rivero (Phoenix).
Last year in Passi, Iloilo, Team Japeth held off Team Scottie in a high-scoring game 140-136.
In the Team Greats vs. Team Stalwarts, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser emerged as the No. 1 overall pick in the event featuring rookie, sophomore, and junior players.
Ganuelas-Rosser, who was recently acquired by TNT in a three-team trade, went to Team Greats of Ginebra deputy Patrick Partosa.