PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas finally received his 2019 Danny Floro Executive of the Year award during the virtual PBA Press Corps Awards Night, Sunday at the TV5 Media Center.
Vargas received the high honors from the group that covers the PBA beat for his brand of leadership, which brought stability to the PBA Board after his election for a third straight term.
“It is an honor to share this historic night with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, members of the PBA Board of Governors, and the award-winners this year,” said Vargas.
“On behalf of the Board, we thank our dearest partners in the PBA Press Corps for your commitment. Thank you for your commitment to sharing the stories of our players, teams, and the league.”
After earning anew the confidence of the entire Board, Vargas, representing TNT, became the first to serve as chairman for three straight terms since Luis ‘Moro’ Lorenzo Sr. of Pepsi from 1991 to 1993.
Vargas earned the respect of his peers with his cool and calm demeanor but strong-minded will. He helped the Board work as a collective unit again and traversed the league into better times.
This is the second time Vargas was honored with the award named after the late affable team owner Valeriano ‘Danny’ Floro of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers.
Vargas, who’s also doing a wonderful job as chief of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP), first won the award handed out by the men and women regularly covering the PBA beat during the 2006-07 season.
Past recipients of the honor include San Miguel team owner Ramon S. Ang, PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, Alaska boss Wilfred Uytengsu, Rain or Shine co-team owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que, to name a few.
Elmer Yanga, the amiable team manager of the RFM franchise in the 90s, was the first recipient of the prestigious award, winning the honor during its first three years from 1993 to 1995.
