Taulava tops early All-Star balloting

Talk N’ Text slotman Asi Taulava garnered the most number of votes after the first day of in-house balloting for the 2003 Philippine Basketball Association All-Star game, slated to be played on June 1 at 4 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

The 6’9" Taulava amassed 383 votes from the ticket-holders that watched Sunday’s playdate at the Big Dome to lead the hunt for the five automatic spots in each of the two teams that will tangle in a revised version of the mid-season classic.

Fans will vote in the five starters from each group while the coaches will pick the seven other All-Stars from both groups. The coaches will not be allowed, however to cast ballots for their own players.

The first round of balloting came from fans on the game site. Votes can also be cast through the league website at www.pba.com.ph or through the PBA hotline (Dial 1-908-1-722-722 or 1-908-1-PBA-PBA and press "4" to cast ballots.)

Ginebra stars Eric Menk and Romel Adducul followed Taulava closely in the balloting for the three automatic center-forward spots in Group B. Menk got 331 votes, Adducul 293 while Red Bull Fil-Am Davonn Harp is just outside the bubble in fourth with 227 votes.

Coca-Cola’s Johnny Abarrientos leads the hunt for the two guaranteed guard spots in Group B with 282, followed by reigning league MVP Willie Miller with 222.

Kenneth Duremdes, enjoying a fine season with new Sta. Lucia, leads all guards in the balloting with 319 votes. Olsen Racela of San Miguel is running second to Duremdes in the race for the two Group A guard positions with 79 votes.