PBAPC to honor Jalalon, Pingris, Cone

Jio Jalalon, Star teammate Marc Pingris, and champion coach Tim Cone of Barangay Ginebra share the spotlight when the PBA Press Corps (PBAPC) honors the season’s best in its 24th Annual Awards at the Gloria Maris Restaurant inside the Gateway Mall on Nov. 30.

Jalalon is the consensus choice as Mr. Quality Minutes, while Pingris and Cone are at the forefront of the All-Interview team to be recognized by the group of sportswriters who regularly cover the PBA beat during the formal affair presented by Cignal TV.

The Star point guard bested the likes of Kelly Williams (TnT Katropa), Reynel Hugnatan (Meralco), and Sol Mercado (Barangay Ginebra) for the award given similar to the Sixth Man Award or to the player who contributed the most coming off the bench. Jalalon averaged 9.3 points in his rookie season with the Hotshots.

Past Mr. Quality Minutes winners include Olsen Racela, Bong Alvarez, Rodney Santos, Ronald Tubid, Peter June Simon, RenRen Ritualo, Jayson Castro, Jervy Cruz, Larry Fonacier, among others.

Meanwhile, Pingris and Cone will be joined in the All-Interview team by Ranidel de Ocampo (Meralco), Castro (TnT Katropa), Beau Belga (Rain or Shine), and LA Tenorio (Barangay Ginebra). The award is in recognition for players, coaches, and personalities who churn out juicy quotes and make themselves available for interviews with PBAPC members.