The entire PBA Board led by chairman Victorico ‘Ricky’ Vargas gets its due recognition on the silver anniversary celebration of the PBA Press Corps Annual Awards Night on Jan. 21 at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center.
Vargas and the rest of the board will be the recipient of the special President’s Award from the group of sportswriters covering the PBA beat for getting its act together to uphold the spirit of harmony within the league.
Setting aside its differences to work for the common good, the board’s move paved the way for the league to successfully hold its 43rd season.
Aside from Vargas (TnT Katropa), the rest of the board were composed of Vice-Chairman Richard Bachmann (Alaska), Treasurer Atty. Raymond Zorilla (Phoenix), Robert Non (San Miguel), Rene Pardo (Magnolia), Rod Franco (NLEX), Al Panlilio (Meralco), Atty. Mamerto Mondragon (Rain or Shine), Bobby Rosales (Columbian Dyip), Siliman Sy (Blackwater), Alfrancis Chua (Barangay Ginebra), and Eric Arejola (NorthPort).
Vargas, who is also the current president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), will serve as guest speaker during the special rite presented by Cignal TV.
The Board will be joined by other major awardees who are going to be honored in the annual affair now celebrating its 25th year.
Alaska’s Vic Manuel is the recipient of Mr Quality Minutes, Poy Erram of NLEX is the Defensive Player of the Year, with Chris Tiu getting the nod as Breakout Player of the Season.
The Game of the Season goes to the triple overtime match between Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine, while NorthPort’s Stanley Pringle will be crowned the year’s scoring champion.
Jason Perkins of Phoenix leads the All-Rookie team he shares with Jeron Teng (Alaska), Paul Zamar (San Miguel Beer), Christian Standhardinger (San Miguel Beer), and Robbie Herndon (Magnolia), the year’s All-Interview Team is composed of coach Yeng Guiao (NLEX), Chris Ross (San Miguel), Joe Devance (Barangay Ginebra), Mike Digregorio (Blackwater), Standhardinger, and Tiu, while June Mar Fajardo (San Miguel), Paul Lee (Magnolia), and Manuel are the recipients of the Order of Merit honor.
In observance of its 25th year, the PBAPC will be giving out its first ever Lifetime Achievement Award apart from the Danny Floro Executive of the Year, and the centerpiece Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan Coach of the Year Award.