Thursday, August 09, 2007 Press Corps to fete players, referee in Annual Awards
WYNNE Arboleda, Gary David and Christian Calaguio will be among players to be feted by the PBA Press Corps during its 2007 Awards Night at the Bayview Park Hotel on Roxas Blvd this Sunday.
Arboleda got the Defensive Player of the Year award, David got the Comeback Player of the Year, while Calaguio was named Mr. Quality Minutes.
Other players taking center stage are Kelly Williams, Arwind Santos, LA Tenorio, Jay-R Reyes and Jireh Ibanes who comprise the All-Rookie Team.
Mario Montiel, meanwhile, has been voted Referee of the Year. Montiel is to receive his second Referee of the Year trophy in six years during the awards.
It’s a breakthrough season for David, who, during the Annual Leo Awards, was given the Sportsmanship and Most Improved Player plums aside from membership in the Mythical Team and All-Defensive Team.
Arboleda finally won the Defensive Player of the Year honors after placing second behind Marc Pingris in the balloting for the same award last year.
Calaguio, San Miguel Beer’s highly dependable second-string wingman, is the hands-down choice as Mr. Quality Minutes.
The awarding of the Baby Dalupan and the Danny Floro trophies highlights the PBAPC bash where Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan is the guest of honor and speaker. Veteran sports anchormen Quinito Henson and Ed Picson are the emcees.
Ginebra’s Jong Uichico is the top candidate for the Coach of the Year award while PBA board chair Ricky Vargas is the leading contender for the Executive of the Year plum.
Past and present officials of the league and revered retired mentor Baby Dalupan are expected to grace the occasion.(PBA Media Bureau)
