The race for the Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year trophy is a compelling two-way fight between Chot Reyes and Leo Austria, setting the stage for the PBA Press Corps annual Awards Night next week at the Novotel Manila.
These two mentors are squaring off for the league’s top coaching honor after being the only ones to win championships in Season 49.
Reyes, the TNT mentor, nearly completed a historic grand slam for the Tropang 5G, steering the franchise to titles in the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup.
His bid for a clean sweep fell just short in the season-ending Philippine Cup, however, where his team settled for a runner-up finish.
It was Austria who was responsible for foiling TNT’s attempt at that season sweep.
Leading San Miguel, he guided his team to regain the Philippine Cup, a crown widely considered the PBA’s crown jewel.
The winner of this coveted award, named after the man acknowledged as the “Maestro” of Philippine basketball coaching, will be announced on October 13.
Both Reyes and Austria are already past recipients of the plum; Reyes currently holds the distinction as the winningest coach of the award with six trophies, while Austria is a four-time winner.
The Coach of the Year is only one of the honors to be handed out during the affair, which is mounted yearly by the media group regularly covering the PBA beat.
The night will also see the presentation of the Danny Floro Executive of the Year and the Defensive Player of the Year.
Other individual accolades to be recognized include the Bogs Adornado Comeback Player of the Year, the Scoring Champion, and the award for Mr. Quality Minutes.
Rounding out the night, the PBA Press Corps will also honor the All-Rookie Team, the recipient of the Order of Merit for having the most number of Player of the Week wins, and the Game of the Season.
