Cone, Ang lead achievers honored in elaborate rites

MANILA, Philippines - Tim Cone, a top-notch coach with a distinguished career with Alaska Milk, has breached the barriers of his quest for excellence since taking his coaching talent to San Mig Super Coffee.

Consider five titles in three years, a fourth-peat and a grand slam. Add now a first Baby Dalupan Trophy in 18 years.

Cone receives the coveted plum as winner of the Coach of the Year award, highlighting the 2014 PBA Press Corps Awards Night at the Richmonde Hotel in Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City starting at 7 tonight.

With their grand slam season, the 18-time PBA champion coach is the hands-down choice for the award, his third after winning it with Alaska in 1994 and in 1996.

Also a unanimous choice to receive the Danny Floro Trophy as Executive of the Year is San Miguel Corp. president Ramon S. Ang whose hands-on approach in his ball clubs’ affairs culminated with the SMC Mixers sweeping all three conferences in PBA Season 39.

It will be a night of grand slammers with former Crispa greats Bogs Adornado and Atoy Co, former Alaska top gun Jojo Lastimosa and former San Miguel Beer stalwart Ato Agustin gracing the affair as guests of honors.

These PBA legends recollect their own grand slam feats in the event with theme “There are Champions…..and There are Grand Slam Champions!”

The ceremonies start at 7 p.m. with The Philippine STAR columnist Joaquin Henson and Inquirer’s Sev Sarmenta serving as emcees.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud, out-going board chairman Mon Segismundo, in-coming chair Patrick Gregorio and present and past PBA officials are expected to grace the event.

Not surprisingly with its season sweep, San Mig Coffee gets the lion’s share of the awards in the event backed by the PBA, Alaska, Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel, Barako Bull, Blackwater Sports, Globalport, Kia Motors, Meralco, NLEX, Rain or Shine, San Mig Super Coffee, and Talk `N Text.

Marc Pingris is the Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season while Peter June Simon and Mark Barroca are recipients of the Mr. Quality Minutes and Order of Merit awards, respectively.

Ian Sangalang and Justin Melton, also of San Mig Coffee, made the All-Rookie Team with Greg Slaughter of Ginebra, Raymond Almazan of Rain or Shine and Terrence Romeo of Globalport.