Ace guard Paul Lee will be this year’s recipient of the “Bogs Adornado” Comeback Player of the Year, while the six awardees will be feted with the revival of the All-Interview Team during the 2016 PBA Press Corps Annual Awards Night on Saturday at the Gloria Maris restaurant inside the Gateway Mall.
Lee won the award for his courageous performance with Rain of Shine despite dealing with a left knee injury that sidelined him in some part of the season. The affair, presented by CIGNAL, is set at 7 p.m.
The 6-foot-1 Lee, recently shipped to Star in a blockbuster trade for James Yap, missed the entire Philippine Cup elimination round with ITB tear that required a PRP injection. He rejoined RoS in the semifinals but reinjured the knee as the Elasto Painters lost to eventual champion San Miguel Beer.
In the Commissioner’s Cup, Lee missed a couple of games anew after recovering from a second PRP. After a slow start, his performance started to pick up particularly in the finals against Alaska. With averages of nearly 16 points per game, Lee was named the PBA Press Corps Finals MVP as the Elasto Painters edged the Aces in six games.
After the finals, Lee had a third PRP but still performed well as one of coach Yeng Guiao’s key players, enough reason for him to win the award named after the former 3-time MVP Adornado.
As for the All-Interview Team, comprosing the squad are Asi Taulava of NLEX, Arwind Santos of SMB, Jimmy Alapag of Meralco, LA Tenorio of Ginebra and Lee.
The coach of the squad is NLEX mentor Yeng Guiao, formerly of Rain or Shine. This is the first time that the men and women covering the PBA beat will give the award after more than 10 years.