And for the first time in their careers, Danny Seigle and Danny Ildefonso, the cornerstones of San Miguel’s dominance, will play opposite each other when the Veterans clash with the Rookies, Sophomores and Juniors side.
Seigle was the leading vote getter in the annual classic, amassing a total of 7,787 votes to earn a starting spot in the RSJ roster together with fellow young superstars Rudy Hatfield of Pop Cola, Dondon Hontiveros of Tanduay and Barangay Ginebra’s Ronald Magtulis and Mark "The Spark" Caguioa.
Ildefonso, who spent the first three years of his career with the RSJ, will be seeing action for the Veterans for the first time as the old warriors in the league seek a third straight win in this classic made specially for the fans who have made the PBA what it today.
Jong Uichico of All-Filipino Cup champion San Miguel and Allan Caidic of runner-up Ginebra will be calling the shots for the Veterans and the RSJ teams, respectively.
The Veterans look stronger on paper, as their starting unit voted by the fans indeed looks imposing with Pop Cola’s Johnny Abarrientos and Alaska’s Kenneth Duremdes manning the guard positions and Alvin Patrimonio of Purefoods and Jun Limpot of Ginebra sharing the frontline with Ildefonso.
The other members of the teams were determined by votes coming from the other coaches in the 10-team field, with the coaches being restricted from voting for their respective players.
Also in the Veterans roster are Jeffrey Cariaso of Tanduay, Noy Castillo of Purefoods, Dennis Espino of Sta. Lucia, Chris Jackson of Shell, Edward Juinio of Pop Cola, Ali Peek of Alaska and Olsen Racela of San Miguel.
Asi Taulava of Mobiline will be making a second appearance in the All-Star game, seeing action for the RSJ together with John Arigo and Don Allado of Alaska, Gherome Ejercito of Mobiline, Davonn Harp of Red Bull, Jayjay Helterbrand of Ginebra and Red Bull’s Kerby Raymundo.
The traditional Fans’ Day will precede the All-Star Game on Saturday with the elimination rounds of the three-point shootout, 2-Ball and other events on tap also at the Big Dome in Cubao.