Patriots’ Dixon, Ybañez win ABL individual awards

Import Jason Dixon and guard Warren Ybañez shared the spotlight with their champion team Philippine Patriots as their individual performances were recognized during the ASEAN Basketball League’s awards ceremony Tuesday at the Grand Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The 6-10 Dixon was adjudged Best Import of the fledging league while the 5-7 Ybañez was feted Finals MVP as the Patriots formally received their championship trophy in the rites hosted by ABL founder Tony Fernandes.

Dixon beat out Nakiea Miller of Indonesia’s Satria Muda BritAma and Kyle Jeffers of the Singapore Slingers for the plum, norming 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game in a strong showing that saw him log 16 double-double outputs overall. For his part, Ybañez posted averages of 5.6 points, 4 rebounds and 4.4 assists in five games in the Playoffs to earn the nod as the top player of the Finals. The Patriots team, which topped the triple-round elimination with an 11-4 record and swept both the Kuala Lumpur Dragons in their best-of-three semis duel and Satria Muda BritAma in their best-of-five finals showdown, also enjoyed their crowning glory with each player receiving a gold-plated championship ring. The Thailand Tigers’ Attaporn Lertmalaiporn crashed the Filipinos’ party by winning the Season MVP accolade. Meanwhile, the ABL’s second season will open this October with more teams expected to take part. The Philippines and Indonesia may both field a second team while Vietnam has expressed interest to join the league. And to add more excitement and boost the level of competition, teams will be allowed to tap an Asian player to hook up with the two foreign and ASEAN imports allowed each squad. - GMANews.TV