PBA scribes hold simple awards rites

MANILA, Philippines - In the light of the recent calamity, the PBA Press Corps has decided to forego a lavish Awards Night at the Manila Pavilion and will instead make it simple but solemn at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City tomorrow.

The corps is doing its share, joining the rest of the country in lending help to the victims of the storm Ondoy.

Whatever it will save in cutting cost for the awards, the PBAPC will donate to the fund drive spearheaded by the Philippine Sportswriters Association under president Teddyvic Melendres.

PBA commissioner Renauld “Sonny” Barrios and board chairman Lito Alvarez lauded the corps in its effort to help.

Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes takes center stage as Coach of the Year in the awards sponsored by Smart Sports, San Miguel Corp., Coca-Cola and Pagcor.

SMC chairman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco will be bestowed the Executive of the Year award in the rites also backed by Burger King, Sta. Lucia Realty, Alaska Milk, Barako Bull, Rain or Shine and Harbour Centre.

Others to be feted are Wynne Arboleda, Jason Castro, Mike Cortez, Arwind Santos, Jimmy Alapag, Gabe Norwood, Jared Dillinger, Sol Mercado, Bonbon Custodio, Larry Rodriguez and Throngy Aldaba.

Santos, winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2008, ended up tied with 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, share the trophy presented by Accel.

Arboleda is the Best Defensive Player for the second time in the last three years, Castro is Mr. Quality Minutes, Cortez is the Comeback Player of the Year and Aldaba the Referee of the Year.

Norwood, Dillinger, Mercado, Custodio and Rodriguez compose the All-Rookie Team.

The Coach of the Year is to receive the Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan Trophy. The other awardees will receive elegantly-crafted trophies from Angel Zamora and Sons.