PBA scribes name Chot, Danding top honorees

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes and San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. are the major awardees as Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year in the 2009 PBA Press Corps Annual Awards at The Alegria of Waterfront Manila Pavilion Sunday night.

Reyes will be the recipient of the prestigious Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan Trophy as he beat San Miguel counterpart Siot Tanquingcen for the Coach of the Year award.

The Talk n Text mentor gained the nod of the members of the corps for steering the Tropang Texters to the Philippine Cup championship in his second season with the team. He previously won the Dalupan Trophy in 1993, 2002 and 2003.

Cojuangco, meanwhile, was the runaway winner of the Executive of the Year award, getting the PBAPC’s votes for his decision leading to the inclusion of Fil-Am player Gabe Norwood in the pro draft.

Norwood was drafted by Rain or Shine as the top pick and subsequently became the Rookie of the Year.

As a PBA Hall of Famer, Cojuangco has been recognized not only for his achievements as former project director for basketball but also as a staunch supporter of the PBA through San Miguel Corp., Barangay Ginebra and Purefoods.

Reyes and Cojuangco take center stage in the awards rites sponsored by Smart Sports, San Miguel Corp., Coca-Cola and Pagcor Sports.

Arwind Santos, winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2008, ended up tied with Jimmy Alapag as Order of Merit winners in PBAPC’s Player of the Week program. They won the Player of the Week honors thrice each and, thus, will share the trophy presented by Accel.

Others to be feted are Wynne Arboleda, Jason Castro, Mike Cortez, Gabe Norwood, Sol Mercado, Jared Dillinger, Bonbon Custodio, Larry Rodriguez and referee Throngy Aldava.

Arboleda is the Defensive Player of the Year, Castro is Mr. Quality Minutes, Cortez is the Comeback Player of the Year, Aldava is the best referee while Norwood, Mercado, Dillinger, Custodio and Rodriguez make up the All-Rookie Team.

Dalupan is expected to grace the occasion to personally award the Dalupan Trophy to the Coach of the Year. The other awardees will receive elegantly-crafted trophies from Angel Zamora and Sons.

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, board chairman Lito Alvarez and other past and present PBA officials are also expected to be present in the affair to be hosted by veteran sportscasters Ed Picson and Patricia Bermudez-Hizon.