PHILIPPINE Basketball Association awards will be handed out today as the league press corps stages the 25th edition of its annual awards night.
Honoring individuals and groups which had contributed to the continued success and vibrancy of Asia’s first play-for-pay league, the awards night will take place at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center.
Leading the list of awardees is the entire PBA Board, led by its chairman Victorico “Ricky” Vargas. The board is being recognized for getting its act together to uphold the spirit of harmony within the league in the aftermath of a tumultuous leadership crisis prior to the start of the 43rd season of the league last year.
Setting aside their differences to work for the common good, the cooperation by the board members led to a successful holding of the PBA season amid uncertainty previously.
Aside from Mr. Vargas (TNT KaTropa), the rest of the board are composed of Vice-Chairman Richard Bachmann (Alaska Aces), Treasurer Atty. Raymond Zorilla (Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters), Robert Non (San Miguel Beermen), Rene Pardo (Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok), Rod Franco (NLEX Road Warriors), Al Panlilio (Meralco Bolts), Atty. Mamerto Mondragon (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters), Bobby Rosales (Columbian Dyip), Siliman Sy (Blackwater Elite), Alfrancis Chua (Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings), and Eric Arejola (NorthPort Batang Pier).
Mr. Vargas, who is also the current president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), too, will serve as guest speaker during the special rite presented by Cignal TV.
Apart from the PBA board, also to be honored are Alaska’s Vic Manuel (Mr. Quality Minutes), Poy Erram of NLEX (formerly of Blackwater) as Defensive Player of the Year and now-retired Chris Tiu (Breakout Player of the Season).
The Game of the Season, meanwhile, goes to the triple overtime match between Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine, while NorthPort’s Stanley Pringle will be crowned the year’s scoring champion.
Jason Perkins of Phoenix leads the All-Rookie team, sharing it with Jeron Teng (Alaska), Paul Zamar (San Miguel formerly of Blackwater), Christian Standhardinger (San Miguel), and Robbie Herndon (Magnolia).
The year’s All-Interview Team is composed of coach Yeng Guiao (NLEX), Chris Ross (San Miguel), Joe Devance (Barangay Ginebra), Mike Digregorio (Blackwater), Standhardinger, and Tiu, while June Mar Fajardo (San Miguel), Paul Lee (Magnolia), and Manuel are the recipients of the Order of Merit honor.
In observance of its 25th year, the PBAPC will be giving out its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award apart from the Danny Floro Executive of the Year, and the centerpiece Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan Coach of the Year Award. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
