THE 30th PBA Press Corps Awards Night on Tuesday was a night of celebration for several of the country’s basketball superstars, who were honored at the Novotel Araneta City in Quezon City.
Legend Robert “Sonny” Jaworski Sr. was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, following Alaska team owner Wilfred Uytengsu, who won it first in 2019.
Successfully guided the team
The coaching team of the reigning PBA Philippine Cup champions Meralco Bolts, led by Luigi Trillo and Nenad Vucinic, was crowned Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year for the first time in history.
Aside from them, Tim Cone was acknowledged for his contributions to the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s historic performances in many international events, including the Asian Games and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Gilas Pilipinas won the gold medal at the Asian Games after 61 years, demonstrating global competitiveness by defeating Latvia and doing well against Georgia and Brazil in the FIBA OQT.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) Sports Director, Alfrancis Chua, was voted Executive of the Year. Having won the accolade for nearly three seasons in a row in Asia’s oldest league.
Ballers of them all
Following his spectacular return to the PBA, NLEX Road Warriors star guard Robert Bolick was awarded Season 48 Scoring Champion, while eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo got the Order of Merit.
Bolick averaged 25.3 points per game in his first season with the Road Warriors. In contrast, Fajardo received this accolade in both 2018 and 2019.
The William “Bogs” Adornado Comeback Players of the Year award was given to Ginebra’s LA Tenorio and the Magnolia Hotshots’ Ian Sangalang. Mr. Quality Minutes was awarded to Meralco’s Bong Quinto.
The PBA All-Rookie Team included Ginebra’s Stephen Holt, Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum, NorthPort’s Cade Flores, Phoenix’s Kenneth Tuffin, and Terrafirma’s Kemark Carino.
Meralco’s victory over San Miguel in Game 6, which the former team won 80-78, was awarded Game of the Season. Renauld “Sonny” Barrios was named the guest of honor.
