Miller MVP, Ren Ren top rookie

Willie Miller, the flamboyant Red Bull guard not a few thought should have been a good choice for the Philippine team in the recent Asian Games, was adjudged Most Valuable Player of the 2002 PBA season.

The 25-year-old Miller, though finishing only second place behind teammate Davonn Harp in the statistical race, won the MVP derby decisively on the strength of the media votes and the nod of the "four-man" committee.

Thus, the proud son of Olongapo became the first guard after Johnny Abarrientos in 1996 to win the most coveted individual award in the league. Four other guards who gained PBA MVP honors were Robert Jaworski in 1978, Atoy Co in 1979, Ricky Brown in 1985 and Ato Agustin in 1992.

The jolly Amerasian, the No. 1 pick in the 2001 Annual Draft, also became only the fifth first pick to win the award. The first four were Benjie Paras in 1989 and 1999, Allan Caidic in 1990, Vergel Meneses in 1995 and Danny Ildefonso in 2000 and 2001.

"Mas maganda sana kung nasabay sa championship," said Miller, still sorry they bungled a shot at the All-Filipino crown.

"Pero nakakataba ng puso. Hindi ko inaasahan ito," added the 5-foot-10 former Letran stalwart who had stints with Tanduay Rhum under coach Alfrancis Chua in the PBL and the Nueva Ecija Patriots under coach Joe Lipa in the MBA.

Curiously, Miller won the MVP without winning a best-player-of-the-conference honors in the season.

Miller amassed 8,000 points against Harp’s 3,149, Pablo’s 2,497, Rey Evangelista’s 1,414, Don Allado’s 1,402, and Dorian Peña’s 1,139.

Joining Miller in the Mythical First Team were Harp, Jeffrey Cariaso, Don Allado and Vic Pablo. Comprising the Second Team were Asi Taulava, Gilbert Demape, Rey Evangelista, Nick Belasco and Kerby Raymundo.

Renren Ritualo was named Rookie of the Year, Rob Duat won the Most Improved Player honors and Paolo Mendoza gained the Sportsmanship Award.

Ritualo was the lowest picked player to win the Rookie of the Year plum since Gerry Esplana won the same award in 1990.

Ritualo was No. 8 pick of FedEx and Esplana No. 9 of Sta. Lucia.

Duat, meanwhile, became the fifth Alaska player to win the Most Improved award. The first was Ricky Relosa in 1986, Yoyoy Villamin in 1987, Bong Hawkins in 1994 and Poch Juinio in 1996.

Chris Jackson, a perennial defensive player awardee, led the year’s All-Defensive Team which included Harp, Rudy Hatfield, Jeffrey Cariaso and Rey Evangelista.

Jackson made it to the team for the fifth straight season and seventh in all, tying the feats of Yoyoy Villamin and Chito Loyzaga at third place behind Jerry Codiñera (nine) and Glen Capacio (eight).

Miller’s average playing time of 26.13 minutes and production of 9.8 points in the season are both lowest by any MVP winner. He also averaged 3.6 points, 3.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.2 block. He started for Red Bull in only 14 games.