PBL Platinum Award to honor MVP, best cagers

Tomorrow will be a day to remember for some pro-bound PBL stars as the league is set to hand the coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) plum and other special awards for players who made the 2003 season truly remarkable, if not a dream year for their blooming careers.

And for the first time, the league will also recognize top players who made great contribution in the development of the league through their sheer talent and good behavior off the court. These players will receive the Commissioner’s Awards.

"We have to honor players not only for their excellent games but also for being role models for the youth. This is our own humble way of helping our country," said league commissioner Chino Trinidad. "I just hope we can mold more role models from this league."

Welcoat’s 1-2 punch of James Yap and Jojo Tangkay are showing the way in the race for the MVP award on account of their solid performances in the semis but the two are expected to encounter strong challenge from a pair of Fash Liquid Laundry Detergent stars in Peter June Simon and Rich Alvarez.

"This is perhaps the closest race for the MVP award in years. Kaya excited ang mga fans na manood ng title series," added Trinidad.

The PBL Platinum Achievement Awards ceremony is set 3 p.m., one hour before the pivotal Game 3 between Welcoat and Fash Liquid. The best-of-5 title series is tied at 1-1 after Fash ruled in Game 2 in double overtime, 84-80.

Tangkay is leading in the statistical points after the semis with 668, just 14 points ahead of Yap - his more popular teammate who was made the No. 2 pick by Purefoods in last month’s PBA Annual Draft.

Aside from being honored as the country’s top amateur cager by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) during its awards rites last Jan. 9, the 6-foot-3 Yap also romped off with the UAAP MVP title by beating the likes of Alvarez and FEU’s Arwind Santos.

For Alvarez, winning the MVP could be his crowning glory after being named as the pro league’s No. 1 pick. He is going to suit up for Shell which is in dire need of a player as strong, disciplined and hard-working as he is.

But right now, Alvarez’s main concern is not winning the MVP plum, but giving the team that helped nurture his talent one more title as his own way of saying: "Thanks for everything."

The MVP award — if ever it ends on his lap - could be Tangkay’s ticket back to the pro league.

Also to be awarded during the Platinum’s Achievement awards are members of the mythical selection, top rookie, most improved player and sportsmanship award.

Yap, Tangkay, Simon and Alvarez are most likely to make it to the Mythical First Team with either Ervin Sotto and Marc Pingris, both centers of Welcoat, joining them.

Vying for the top rookie award are Montana’s Ronjay Enrile, Viva’s Arwind Santos and Fash’s JR Reyes.