Chot PBAPC coach of year

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes takes center stage the Coach of the Year awardee in the 2009 PBA Press Corps Annual Awards set at 7:30 p.m. today at The Alegria of the Waterfront Manila Pavilion.

Reyes, who steered the TnT Tropang Texters to the Philippine Cup championship in his second season with the team, will be the recipient of the prestigious Virgilio

“Baby” Dalupan for the third time in seven years and fourth overall since the initial staging of the PBAPC Awards in 1993.

The award puts Reyes above his peers – Ginebra’s Jong Uichico, Alaska’s Tim Cone and Purefoods’ Ryan Reyes, who each won the Dalupan Trophy twice.

San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. is the Executive of the Year winner in the awards rites sponsored by Smart Sports, San Miguel Corp., Coca-Cola and Pagcor Sports. The event is also backed by Burger King, Sta.Lucia Realty, Alaska, Rain or Shine, Barako Bull and Harbour Centre.

Cojuangco is the runaway winner of the award, getting the PBAPC’s votes for the exploits of his teams and his admirable and sportsmanlike position leading to the inclusion of Fil-Am player Gabe Norwood in the pro draft.

Norwood was drafted by Rain or Shine as the top pick and subsequently became the Rookie of the Year.

The versatile Fil-Am player also takes the spotlight in the PBAPC Awards, leading the All-Rookie Team, which includes Jared Dillinger, Sol Mercado, Bonbon Custodio and Larry Rodriguez.

Others to be feted are Wynne Arboleda, Jason Castro, Mike Cortez, Arwind Santos, Jimmy Alapag and Throngy Aldaba.

Santos, winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2008, ended up tied with Alapag as Order of Merit winners in PBAPC’s Player of the Week program. They won the Player of the Week honors thrice each and will share the trophy presented by Accel.

Arboleda is the Best Defensive Player for the second time in the last three years, Castro is Mr. Quality Minutes, Cortez is the Comeback Player of the Year and Aldaba the Referee of the Year.

Dalupan has confirmed his attendance to personally award the Dalupan Trophy to the Coach of the Year. The other awardees will receive elegantly-crafted trophies from Angel Zamora and Sons.

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, board chairman Lito Alvarez and other past and present PBA officials are expected to grace the affair to be hosted by veteran sportscasters Ed Picson and Patricia Bermudez-Hizon.