By JEREMIAG SEVILLA
San Juan-Go For Gold veteran guard John Wilson copped the MPBL Lakan Cup season Most Valuable Player award on Sunday at the Subic Bay Gymnasium.
Wilson received the trophy prior to Game Four of the Chooks to Go-backed season’s best-of-five National Finals wherein he and the Knights are trailing the Davao Occidental-Cocolife Tigers, 2-1.
A former PBA player, Wilson paced the league in scoring with 20.23 points to go with 6.33 rebounds, 2.60 assists and 2.33 steals during the regular season.
“I worked a lot for this award. I spent more time working out than with my family. I spend six times a week for training. I really deserve this,” said the 34-year-old deadshot, who was the first player to hit the 1,000 points mark in MPBL history.
Wilson, the NCAA Season 86 MVP from JRU, also recorded the highest scoring output in a single game after firing 44 points in San Juan’s 102-97 win against Pampanga-ADG Group on September 17, 2019.
Wilson was joined by teammate Mike Ayonayon, Davao’s Mark Yee, Pasig-Sta. Lucia’s Jeric Teng and Makati-Super Crunch’s Jeckster Apinan in the All-MPBL First Team.
Ex-pro Yee was also named the Defensive Player of the Year after posting 11.86 rebounds, 0.76 steals and 0.76 blocks on top of 14.96 points.
Composing the Second Team were Datu Cup MVP Gab Banal of Bacoor, Manila-Frontrow’s duo of Chris Bitoon and Aris Dionisio, GenSan-Burlington’s Pamboy Raymundo and Pasay’s Dhon Reverente.
Davao’s Billy Ray Robles bagged the Sportsmanship Award.
Nueva Ecija owner Bong Cuevas, who played a big role in setting up the MPBL bubble in Subic, was hailed as the Executive of the Year.
