For the first time ever, an entire coaching staff will be recognized with the highest honor at the PBA Press Corps Awards Night.
The Meralco coaching staff will receive the Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year award as the men and women who regularly cover the PBA beat celebrate the 30th edition of the annual awards on Tuesday at Novotel Manila Araneta City.
The Bolts claimed their first PBA championship in franchise history by defeating the heavily favored San Miguel Beermen in six games during the Philippine Cup finals, which the team credited to the “collective effort of its entire coaching staff.”
Head coach Luigi Trillo, active consultant Nenad Vucinic, assistant coaches Gene Afable, Reynel Hugnatan, and Sandro Soriano, along with consultant Norman Black, were the key figures behind Meralco’s success.
Trillo previously received the same award, named after the “Maestro” of Philippine basketball coaching Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan, during the 2012-13 season when he led the Alaska Aces to their last PBA championship in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Members of the Dalupan family will be present at the event, presented by Cignal, to personally award the Dalupan trophy to the Meralco coaching staff.
Former PBA Commissioner and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Renauld “Sonny” Barrios will serve as the special guest of honor and keynote speaker. He will join the entire Press Corps, led by its president Vladi Eduarte of the Abante Group of Publishing, in honoring the top achievers of Season 48.
Other honorees include San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Sports Director Alfrancis Chua (Danny Floro Executive of the Year), Robert Jaworski Sr. (Lifetime Achievement Award), Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone (President’s Award), Cliff Hodge (Defensive Player of the Year), Ian Sangalang and LA Tenorio (Comeback Player of the Year), and Bong Quinto (Mr. Quality Minutes).
Additional awardees include Robert Bolick (Scoring Champion), June Mar Fajardo (Order of Merit), and the All-Rookie Team composed of Stephen Holt, Adrian Nocum, Cade Flores, Kenneth Tuffin, and Kemark Carino. Representatives from Meralco and San Miguel will also be honored for the Game of the Season.
Citations will be given to Hazel Ancheta and Ma. Corazon Perez of the PBA office for their continued support to the Press Corps over the years, as well as the MagBeerPagRain team for winning the revived Raffy Japa Cup.
