Mike Ayonayon of the San Juan Knights and Allan Mangahas of the Muntinlupa Cagers emerged as the top vote receivers in the recent PayMaya-MPBL All-Star polls and were inserted in the starting unit by fans.
The PayMaya-MPBL All-Star Game will be held on March 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ayonayon, the high-leaping guard who was also entered in the slam dunk contest, received the most votes among any player. He garnered 2,086 votes, earning him a spot in the starting unit of the North All-Stars where he will join veteran Gary David of the Bataan Risers in the backcourt. Also included in the first five were Mac Andaya of the Pasig Pirates at center spot and Aris Dionisio of the Manila Stars and Cedric Ablaza of the Makati Super Crunch.
Head coach of the North All-Stars is Jojo Lastimosa of the Bataan Risers.
A 10-time PBA All-Star, Lastimosa then selected the eight players to compose players coming off the bench.
Named as reserves were veteran guards Paolo Hubalde of the Valenzuela Classic and Almond Vosotros of the Caloocan Supremos, frontliners Jay Collado of the Quezon City Capitals and Gian Abrigo of the Mandaluyong El Tigre, forward Jaypee Belencion of the Pasay Voyagers, burly undersized but hardworking center JR Taganas of the Bulacan Kuyas, Levy Hernandez of the Pampanga Lanterns and Marlon Gomez of the Navotas Clutch.
Over at the South side, Mangahas led the players’ voting and locked himself up for the guard spot where he will join forces with celebrity baller Gerald Anderson of the Marikina Shoemasters. Up front, Mark Yee of the Davao Occidental Tigers and Gab Banal of the Bacoor Strikers will be the starters in the forward positions while Jhaymo Eguilos of the Batangas City Athletics will play as the starting center.
Dulay, who once participated in the Three-Point Shootout of the PBA All-Star festivities, selected Cebu Sharks gunner Patrick Cabahug, former Rain or Shine teammate and current Basilan Steel guard Jojo Tangkay, underrated stretched four forward Marco Balagtas of the Rizal Crusaders, deadshot guard Reed Juntilla of the Zamboanga-Family’s Brand Sardines, spitfire guard Ian Melencio of the Imus Bandera, highly-physical big man Michael Mabulac of the Laguna Heroes, guards Paolo Castro of the Parañaque Patriots and Chris Masaglang of the General Santos City Warriors.
The selection of All-Stars also took an exciting twist when Lastimosa and Dulay agreed on the condition of having two wildcard picks and this was approved by MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.
Lastimosa’s wildcard picks were Chris Bitoon of the Manila Stars and Larry Rodriguez of the San Juan Knights.
Dulay, on the other hand, selected Leo Najorda of the Davao Occidental Tigers and Jeff Viernes of the Batangas City Athletics.
Cholo Villanueva, head coach of the Makati Super Crunch, and Jack Azcueta, mentor of the Muntinlupa Cagers, will be the lead assistant coaches.