PBA scribes name Marcial Mr. Executive

THE man responsible for the successful staging of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup bubble in Clark will share the limelight during the virtual PBA Press Corps Awards Night on Sunday at the TV5 Media Center.

The men and women who cover the PBA beat are bestowing the title Mr. Executive to league Commissioner Willie Marcial for bravely leading the way for the 500-strong delegation to stage the 45th season in Clark amid risks from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The bubble was without a hitch, but Marcial, strong-minded and firm in his decisions, managed to navigate a troubled season into safe waters and put a fitting end to what has been the most challenging period in the history of Asia’s first professional basketball league.

Marcial serves as one of the major awardees in the hour-long event presented by Cignal TV. The program will be aired on Monday over PBA Rush.

Along with Marcial, the 2019 recipient of the traditional Danny Floro Executive of the Year award, PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas, will also be honored during the event to be hosted by Rizza Diaz and Carlo Pamintuan.

One more award—outstanding Coach of the Bubble—will be named.

The 12 teams which went out of their way in order not to cancel the PBA season are the recipient of the President’s Award together with 2019 winner Vergel Meneses, the current Bulakan, Bulacan, mayor and one of the 25 Greatest Players in league history.

San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria also shares centerstage as the 2019 Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan Coach of the Year as well as Northport veteran Sean Anthony as the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year.