Pro league's top performers feted tonight

MANILA, Philippines - The PBA Press Corps Awards will honor former PBA commissioner Renauld “Sonny” Barrios and former league chairman Manuel “Buddy” Encarnado of Sta. Lucia Realty as recipients of the Raffy Japa Presidential Plaques in elaborate rites tonight at the Sapphire Room of the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.

Other awards are the Coach of the Year, the Executive of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Mr. Quality Minutes, Referee of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and All-Rookie Team.

Newly appointed Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio will be presented the Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan Coach of the Year trophy for the third time in eight years.

Gregorio, then with Purefoods, first won the Dalupan trophy in 2002, sharing the honor with Chot Reyes. He won his second in 2006, the same year the Giants won an All-Filipino title.

Alaska owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, whose team twice figured in the finals last season, winning the Fiesta Cup, was unanimously chosen Executive of the Year.

Major sponsors are Smart Sports, San Miguel Corporation and Alaska Milk, with veteran sportscasters Quinito Henson, Ed Picson and Patricia Bermudez-Hizon as hosts.

A two-time PBA chairman, Uytengsu will receive the Danny Floro trophy for the second time.

He first won the award in 1998, the same season his squad won two of three regular conferences.

The legendary Maestro and Bones Floro, grandson of the flamboyant Crispa Redmanizer team owner, have been invited to present the awards.

The event, backed by Accel, Solar Sports, Coca-Cola, Araneta Center and Phoenix Petroleum, will have Philippine Sports Commission’s Chito Loyzaga, one of the PBA’s 25 Greatest, as guest of honor and Fr. Bienvenido Realuyo Jr. of the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Polangui, Albay, Diocese of Legazpi as inspirational speaker.

Also sharing the spotlight with the Coach and Executive of the Year awardees are Niño Cañaleta of B-Meg Derby Ace, Kelly Williams of Talk N Text, Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine and referee Manolito Quilinguen.

Cañaleta, the best player coming off the bench, will be rewarded with the Mr. Quality Minutes award, while Williams will get the William “Bogs” Adornado trophy – for being named Comeback Player of the Year – from the Hall of Famer himself, the award sponsored by Phoenix Petroleum.

Quilinguen was selected the most outstanding game official and chosen to be the recipient of Referee of the Year award while Norwood was picked as the season’s Best Defensive Player.

Promising newcomers Rico Maierhofer, Josh Urbiztondo, Ronnie Matias, Ogie Menor and Jervy Cruz comprised the All-Rookie Team.

A short audio-visual presentation for the late Willie Caballes, the Manila Bulletin assistant sports editor and former PBAPC president who passed away last April, is in the program.

PBA Press Corps president Tito Talao of Tempo enjoins the awardees and invited guests to arrive by 7 p.m.