Fajardo, C-stan top picks anew in All-star
Towering centers in Christian Standhardinger and June Mar Fajardo emerged as top picks in the 2024 PBA All-star draft on Monday, Feb. 26 at the TV5 Media Center.
Team Japeth, led by team captain Japeth Aguilar and head coach Tim Cone, tapped his Ginebra frontcourt partner Christian Standhardinger while Team Barroca, captained by Mark Barroca and to be mentored by Jorge Gallent, responded by taking seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.
It was the second-straight year that the league’s top two centers were picked first in the draft since the format was adopted first in the 2023 All-star draft.
With this year’s edition still expected to employ four-point shot and three-point dunks, Team Japeth made sure to have enough offensive firepower from deep and leaping ability with his picks.
Joining Standhardinger and Aguilar is last year’s All-star MVP in Paul Lee along with former All-star captain Scottie Thompson.
Also in team Japeth were Jamie Malonzo, Stanley Pringle, and Maverick Ahanmisi of Ginebra, Marcio Lassiter and Terrence Romeo of San Miguel Beer, Calvin Oftana of TNT, Chris Newsome of Meralco, Arvin Tolentino of Northport and Tyler Tio of Phoenix.
Knowing that the All-star game would be competitive once again, Team Barroca put premium on speed and defensive intensity with his draft.
Out to lead the defensive stand along with Fajardo and Barroca are Jio Jalalon, Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang of Magnolia, Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine, Cliff Hodge of Meralco and Nards Pinto of Ginebra.
Leading the charge in the transition are CJ Perez of San Miguel, Robert Bolick of NLEX, Ricci Rivero of Phoenix, Jayson Castro of TNT, Juami Tiongson of Terrafirma and Bacolod’s All-star pick James Yap of Blackwater.
Last year in Passi, Iloilo, Team Japeth defeated Team Scottie in a high-scoring game, 140-136.
In the Team Greats vs. Team Stalwarts, Brandon Ganuelas-rosser was the no. 1 overall pick in the event featuring rookie, sophomore, and junior players.
Ganuelas-rosser, who was recently acquired by TNT in a threeteam trade, went to Team Greats of Barangay Ginebra deputy Patrick Partosa.