Jericho Cruz, Roi Sumang, and Justin Arana will take center stage at the PBA Press Corps Awards Night on Nov. 20 at Novotel Manila Araneta City.
Cruz of San Miguel earns the title of Mr. Quality Minutes, Sumang is the recipient of the William ‘Bogs’ Adornado Comeback Player of the Year, and Arana leads the All-Rookie team to be honored by the men and women covering the PBA beat.
(C) PBA Images
Arana, the promising big man of Converge and the Rookie of the Year for PBA Season 47, is at the forefront of the All-Rookie honor. The team includes Renato Ular of Blackwater, no. 1 overall pick Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser of NLEX, Phoenix guard Tyler Tio, and Encho Serrano, formerly of Phoenix.
Meanwhile, the 33-year-old Cruz was chosen as Mr. Quality Minutes, equivalent to the Sixth Man of the Year award. He was a significant contributor to the star-studded San Miguel team despite coming off the bench for most of last season. Cruz averaged 11.3 points last year, securing his first championship with the Beermen during the Philippine Cup.
He is the latest recipient of the award, joining previous winners such as Bong Alvarez, Rodney Santos, Mark Caguioa, Ronald Tubid, PJ Simon, Jayson Castro, Larry Fonacier, Jervy Cruz, Jio Jalalon, Vic Manuel, Calvin Abueva, among others. Interestingly, this is the second time Cruz will be named Mr. Quality Minutes, having first won during the 2015-16 season when he was still with Rain or Shine.
(C) PBA Images
Sumang, on the other hand, made a comeback from a hamstring injury, resuming his role as a reliable backcourt backup to Robert Bolick at Northport. He played a total of 32 games, tied at third with five others for the most games played among the Batang Pier. Sumang averaged 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.0 steal, making him the unanimous choice for the Comeback Player of the Year.
The award is named after Adornado, the three-time PBA MVP winner, who successfully returned from two career-threatening knee injuries to become one of the greatest players in league history. Past winners of the Comeback Player of the Year include Yoyoy Villamin, Bong Alvarez, Benjie Paras, Ato Agustin, Danny Seigle, Kelly Williams, Paul Lee, Alex Cabagnot, and last year’s recipient, June Mar Fajardo.
