Austria is Coach of the Year, PBA stars feted at Press Corps Awards Night

MANILA, Philippines — Leo Austria of San Miguel Beer was named Coach of the Yearh while Rain or Shine owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que were recognized as the “Danny Floro” Executives of the Year in the 2016 PBA Press Corps Awards Night on Saturday, October 22 at the Gloria Maris Restaurant in Cubao.

It’s Austria’s second straight Coach of the Year plum and it comes on the year the late great coach Baby Dalupan, for which the award is named, passed away. Dalupan was also honored during the event, which was attended by his wife and kids.

Austria steered San Miguel to the Philippine Cup championship in historic fashion, coming back from a 0-3 deficit for the first time.

Yu and Que were named Executives of the Year for the way they composed a Rain or Shine team with few superstars, which became the model of consistency with 12 straight playoffs appearances and 9 consecutive semifinals that ended only in the Governors’ Cup.

Terrence Romeo of Globalport also became the back-to-back Scoring Champion while Chris Ross of San Miguel Beer was recognized as Defensive Player of the Year.

Paul Lee, who was just recently traded from Rain or Shine to Star, was the “Bogs Adornado” Comeback Player of the Year after he battled through an injury-riddled Philippine Cup to help the Elasto Painters to the Commissioner’s Cup championship and become Finals MVP.

Jayson Castro was the recepient of the Order of Merit, given to the player who earned the most number of Player of the Week citations throughout the season, while Rain or Shine’s Jericho Cruz was Mr. Quality Minutes.

Meanwhile, the All-Rookie Team is comprised of Troy Rosario from TNT, Art Dela Cruz from Blackwater, Scottie Thompson of Ginebra, Maverick Ahanmisi of Rain or Shine, and Rookie of the Year Chris Newsome from Meralco.

Lastly, the All-Interview Team was revived after more than 10 years and it includes 5 players and one coach.

This year’s recepients are coach Yeng Guiao, LA Tenorio, Lee, Jimmy Alapag, Arwind Santos, and Asi Taulava.

The Finals MVPs of the past season — Ross, Lee, and Tenorio — were also honored. — Rappler.com