For carving out a place in history following the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Gilas Pilipinas will experience a special moment during the PBA Press Corps Awards Night on Monday (Nov. 20) at Novotel Manila Araneta City.
Coach Tim Cone and his fearless group of players will be honored with the President’s Award by the men and women who cover the PBA beat, acknowledging their epic conquest of the men’s basketball gold in the 19th edition of the Asiad held in Hangzhou, China.
In addition to the Golden Gilas, Magnolia guard Jio Jalalon will also take center stage at the event presented by ArenaPlus as the recipient of the Defensive Player of the Year honor.
Jalalon, 31, was previously named part of Season 47’s All-Defensive Team (alongside June Mar Fajardo, Christian Standhardinger, Cliff Hodge, and Chris Newsome), marking the third time in his career that he has made the elite group.
As the top choice for the President’s Award, Gilas Pilipinas joins the PBA Board of Governors and former MVP and Bulakan, Bulacan Mayor Vergel Meneses as among the select few recognized for this honor.
The national team surpassed the expectations of a basketball-loving nation by regaining basketball supremacy in Asia, winning the gold for the first time in 61 long years.
With barely two weeks of preparation as a complete unit, Gilas capped its campaign with a memorable come-from-behind win over host China in the semifinals, 77-76, and then avenged an elimination round loss to Jordan in the gold medal play, winning 70-60.
Meanwhile, Jalalon led the league in steals last season, averaging 2.1 in 49 games played.
He also ranked third in assists with 5.8 per game, while averaging 11.1 points and 5.3 rebounds.
At 5-foot-9, Jalalon is the smallest recipient of the award, joining previous winners such as Chris Ross, June Mar Fajardo, Jean Marc Pingris, Poy Erram, Freddie Abuda, Chris Jackson, Jerry Codinera, Marlou Aquino, Wynne Arboleda, among others.
