Danny I, Castro, Santos gain nod at PBAPC awards night

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text’s Jason Castro and Petron Blaze’s Arwind Santos and Danny Ildefonso are among achievers to be feted in the 2011 PBA Press Corps Annual Awards at the Topaz Room of Gateway Suites in Cubao, Quezon City on Sept. 30.

Castro will be the recipient of the Maynilad Mr. Quality Minutes award, Santos is to receive the Handy Fix Defensive Player of the Year plum while Ildefonso gets the Comeback Player of the Year honors.

As the Comeback Player of the Year, Ildefonso will be awarded the William “Bogs” Adornado Trophy.

The affair’s biggest highlight is the awarding of the Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan Trophy and the Danny Floro Trophy to the Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year, respectively.

For Talk n Text’s major breakthrough in the season just past, coach Chot Reyes and team owner Manny V. Pangilinan are the leading contenders for these prestigious awards.

The other awardees are the Accel Order of Merit winner, the Energen All-Rookie Team and the Referee of the Year. The Order of Merit winner is the player who gained the most number of Best Player of the Week citations in the season.

Presented by San Miguel Corp., Talk n Text and Powerade, the event will also be marked by the launching of the PBA Press Corps’ annual magazine The Extra Period, featuring the exploits of the awardees, among others.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud, current board chairman Mert Mondragon, immediate past chair Rene Pardo and other PBA officials are expected to grace the event to be hosted by seasoned sportscasters Sev Sarmenta and Patricia Bermudez-Hizon.

Castro was the hands-down choice as Mr. Quality Minutes, being a tremendous energy source for his team coming off the bench.

Though playing mostly off-the-bench, the 5-foot-10 guard from Philippine Christian U had tremendous impacts in their championship runs in the first two conferences, meriting him co-Finals MVP award in each of those title conquest.

He averaged 11.9 points, 4.1 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 steal in 25.1 minutes per game last season.

Santos and Ildefonso were likewise the outstanding choices as Defensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year.

Santos was a defensive wiz, leading the league in rebounds (10.607 per outing) and placing fourth in blocks (1.250).

Ildefonso, meanwhile, had a great tale of recovery from a serious injury, regaining MVP form this season with his patience, perseverance and hard work.

The two-time MVP winner played a significant role in Petron Blaze’s triumph in the Governors Cup.