Gregorio, Uytengsu to receive highest honors in PBAPC Awards

Ryan Gregorio, the newly-appointed mentor of the Meralco Bolts, and Alaska team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, a man of class and integrity, are back in limelight to receive the highest honors to be given by the Philippine Basketball Association Press Corps during Wednesday’s Awards Night at the Sapphire Room of the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City. Gregorio will be named the Coach of the Year for the third time while Uytengsu will be presented the Executive of the Year award in the event sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Smart Sports and Alaska, and hosted by veteran sportscasters Quinito Henson, Ed Picson and Patricia Bermundez-Hizon. The youthful Gregorio had an amazing ride in the 35th season, leading his former team, Purefoods, to a four-game sweep of Tim Cone and the Alaska Aces in the All-Filipino Cup. The former University of the Philippines backup guard also won the Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan trophy in 2002 where he emerged co-winner with Chot Reyes and in 2006, the same season his Giants won the All-Filipino crown. Uytengsu, a two-time PBA chairman, will receive the Danny Floro trophy for the second time. He first won the award in 1998, the same season when his squad won two of three regular conferences. The event, backed by Accel, Solar Sports, Coca-Cola, Araneta Center and Phoenix Petroleum, will have Philippine Sports Commission’s Chito Loyzaga as guest of honor and Fr. Bienvenido Realuyo as inspirational speaker. Also sharing the spotlight with the Coach and Executive of the Year awardees are Niño Cañaleta of B-Meg Derby Ace, Kelly Williams of Talk N Text, Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine and referee Manolito Quilinguen. Cañaleta, the best player coming off the bench, will be rewarded with the Mr. Quality Minutes award, while Williams will get the William ‘Bogs’ Adornado trophy for being named Comeback Player of the Year from the Hall of Famer himself, the plaque presented by Phoenix Petroleum. Quilinguen was selected the most outstanding game official and chosen to be the recipient of Referee of the Year award while Norwood was picked as the season’s Best Defensive Player. Promising newcomers Rico Maierhofer, Josh Urbiztondo, Ronnie Matias, Ogie Menor and Jervy Cruz comprised the All-Rookie Team. Two recipients of the Raffy Japa Presidential Award will share the spotlight with the winners, while a short audio-visual presentation for the late Willie Caballes, the Manila Bulletin assistant sports editor and former PBAPC president who passed away last April, is in the program. - RCJ, GMANews.TV