PBAPC to fete Romeo, Cabagnot

MANILA, Philippines - Terrence Romeo’s explosion and Alex Cabagnot’s return to his old deadly form will be recognized in the annual PBA Press Corps (PBAPC) Awards Night on Sept. 16 at the Century Park Hotel.

Romeo will be honored as the scoring champion, while Cabagnot will receive the William “Bogs” Adornado Comeback Player of the Year award.

The two make up the list of awardees to be feted for their memorable performance in the previous season.

Highlight of the affair which starts at 7 p.m. is the bestowing of the Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan Coach of the Year and the Danny Floro Executive of the Year awards.

Romeo, the prolific Globalport combo guard, led all players in scoring last season with a 19.7 point average per game to succeed Jason Castro of Talk ‘ N Text as the league’s new scoring leader.

The Gilas Pilipinas stalwart was the top local scorer in both the Commissioner’s Cup (20.8 ppg) and Governors Cup (22.2 ppg), respectively.

Cabagnot, meanwhile, regained his fiery form with the Beermen following his trade from Globalport midway in the All-Filipino Cup.

The veteran Fil-Am guard went on and became a vital cog of the Beermen, who won two of the three conference titles at stake, including the Philippine Cup.

Earlier named awardees in the two-hour celebration traditionally held by the PBAPC since 1993 were Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee and members of the All-Rookie team.

Lee is the recipient of the PBAPC-Accel Order of Merit Award, while Pringle leads the five-man All-Rookie squad also composed of Alaska’s Chris Banchero, Jake Pascual of Barako Bull, Matt Ganuelas Rosser of Talk ‘N Text and Lee’s Rain or Shine teammate Jericho Cruz.

Other awards to be presented are Defensive Player of the Year and Mr. Quality Minutes (Sixth Man Award).

League officials led by PBA president and CEO Chito Salud and commissioner Chito Narvasa, along with members of the PBA board headed by chairman Robert Non are expected to join the PBAPC under president Barry Pascua of Bandera.