A new name will be etched in the annals of PBA history as the highly-anticipated Leo Awards takes place on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The best of Season 46 are to be recognized in the return of the annual ceremonies after more than two years due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, highlighted, of course, by the Most Valuable Player (MVP) coronation.
Four of the league’s finest today are in contention for the league’s highest individual honor but only one among Scottie Thompson, Mikey Williams, Calvin Abueva, and Robert Bolick will go home with the coveted plum in hand.
Touted as the present and future of Ginebra, Thompson emerged as a strong candidate following a run to remember in the Governors’ Cup, where he was adjudged as the Best Player of the Conference (BPC).
He would, later on, be named the PBA Press Corps Finals MVP after leading the Barangay to the championship at the expense of Meralco.
The last time a player won the individual awards and a title in one conference was in 2019, when June Mar Fajardo was named BPC and Finals MVP after steering San Miguel to an unprecedented Philippine Cup five-peat.
That feat by the Cebuano star was a huge reason why he went on to collect his record sixth consecutive MVP award back in 2020.
Challenging Thompson in his bid, though, is Williams, who’s in the running to become just the second Rookie-MVP since Benjie Paras in 1989 after leading TNT to its first title in years by conquering the 2021 Philippine Cup.
The former G-League veteran was adjudged as the Finals MVP of that series, which they won in five games opposite Magnolia.
Some actually view the MVP race only between Thompson and Williams, since they had similar campaigns in the two-conference season.
It could be recalled that Ginebra saw its rule over the all-Filipino wars end at the hands of the Tropang Giga in the quarterfinals, but was able to get back on its corporate rivals by ousting them in the same round of the Governors’ Cup.
Then again, there are still others who also have a solid case for award. One of which is Abueva, who won Philippine Cup BPC honors after a seamless transition to the Hotshots in just his first conference with the powerhouse.
And, there’s Bolick, who led in all statistical categories in an impressive comeback after a year-long layoff due to an ACL injury.
Also to be given in the Leos set to commence at 2 p.m. are the Mythical First Team, Mythical Second Team, All Defensive Team, Most Improved Player, Samboy Lim Sportsmanship and Rookie of the Year awards.
