Filtered By: Sports
Sports

Kings' Helterbrand reigns supreme in PBA


MANILA, Philippines – Jayjay Helterbrand was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the 2008-09 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season, becoming only the second Ginebra player after Erik Menk to capture the league’s highest individual honor during Wednesday’s Leo Awards at the Araneta Coliseum. The 32-year-old point guard and national team player won by a landslide margin over Arwind Santos of Burger King and San Miguel Beer’s Dondon Hontiveros, snatching the most votes from the media, players, TV coveror and the PBA Commissioner’s Office. He finished with 3220 points in the overall MVP race, with Santos a far second at 733. Hontiveros collected 650. Helterbrand, too, had the highest statistical points among the three with 439, with Santos having 420 and Hontiveros 402. “I’m really proud," said Helterbrand after receiving the MVP trophy from league chairman Joaqui Trillo, commissioner Sonny Barrios and Sta. Lucia’s Buddy Encarnado. “It was something that I had wished but I never really thought that it would be like this."
Ginebra's ace playmaker Jayjay Helterbrand, 2nd from right, is named the Philippine Basketball Association's Most Valuable Player for the 2008-09 season. - GMANews.TV
Helterbrand also led the Mythical First Team along with Santos, Philippine Cup Finals MVP Mac-Mac Cardona, Jay Washington of San Miguel Beer and Coca-Cola’s Asi Taulava, the leading player in statistical points. Willie Miller, aiming to become only the fourth player to win the MVP at least three times and the Best Player of the Conference in the Philippine Cup, led the Mythical Second Team along with Hontiveros, Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia Realty, Jay-R Reyes of Rain or Shine and Gabe Norwood, who was unanimously voted Rookie of the Year. Jonas Villanueva was chosen as the Most Improved Player while Ryan Reyes, also of the Realtors, won the Sportsmanship Award. Santos, Taulava, Ronald Tubid and Billy Mamaril of Ginebra, and Burger King’s Wynne Arboleda were named to the All Defensive Team. Helterbrand also had a Finals MVP when the Gin Kings won the 2006-07 Philippine Cup. He averaged 17.8 points, 5.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds for the season. - GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT