PRESIDENT’S AWARD TO PBA TEAMS

PHILIPPINE Basketball Association (PBA) teams fulfilled their commitment to their players and personnel during the difficult times wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 12 teams also played significant roles in the successful staging of the Philippine Cup bubble in Clark, Pampanga, that prevented a cancelation of the league’s 45th season.

For their financial sacrifices and deep love for the game, the PBA Press Corps are honoring all the teams in Asia’s pioneering professional league with the President’s Award in its virtual Awards Night set this Sunday at the TV5 Media Center.

The “Heroic 12” is composed of Barangay Ginebra, TNT Tropang Giga, Meralco, Phoenix, San Miguel Beer, Alaska, Magnolia, Rain or Shine, NLEX, Blackwater, Northport and Terrafirma.

They will share the limelight with Bulakan Mayor and 1995 Most Valuable Player Vergel Meneses, who will be accorded the 2019 President’s Award by the group that covers the PBA beat.

The hour-long program presented by Cignal TV will be hosted by Rizza Diaz and Carlo Pamintuan. It will be shown on PBA Rush on Monday.

The PBAPC will also give out the Outstanding Coach of the Bubble and Mr. Executive awards.

The other awardees are Justin Chua (Top Bubble D-fender), Calvin Abueva, Chris Ross, Mark Barroca, Christian Standhardinger, and Chua (All Bubble D-fenders), RJ Jazul (Mr. Quality Minutes), CJ Perez (Scoring Champion) Barangay Ginebra-meralco Game 5 semis (Game of the Bubble) and the quintet of Aaron Black, Arvin Tolentino, Roosevelt Adams, Barkley Ebona, and Renzo Subido (All-rookie Team).

The major awardees of the 2019 season will also be recognized on Sunday. They are Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan Coach of the Year Leo Austria of San Miguel Beer, Danny Floro Executive of the Year PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas and Defensive Player of the Year Sean Anthony.