WHO will be the 2020 PBA “Best Player of the Conference” winner?
Will it be Stanley Pringle of PBA Philippine Cup champion Barangay Ginebra or Bobby Ray Parks of runner-up Talk N Text? Or, will it be the high-scoring Matthew Wright or comebacking Calvin Abueva of Phoenix Super LPG, Roger Pogoy of Talk N Text or CJ Perez of Terrafirma?
Who will be the PBA Most Outstanding Rookie — Aaron Black of Meralco or Arvin Tolentino of Barangay Ginebra?
Who will earn the coveted Samboy Lim Sportsmanship award?
The answers will be known Sunday when the PBA honors the top players in the Philippine Cup — the lone conference of the coronavirus-interrupted 45th season — played inside an NBA-inspired bubble at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena in Pampanga.
The first-ever virtual awards night of the PBA will be broadcast live from the TV 5 studio in Mandaluyong City starting at 6 p.m. Sunday.
“Mahalaga itong PBA Awards ngayon bilang pagkilala na din sa mga sakripisyo ng mga players sa nakalipas na bubble sa Angeles City. Isang pasasalamat ito sa lahat ng mga players, may award man or wala,” said PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial during his appearance in the “Usapang Sports on Air” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) via Zoom teleconference recently.
“Hindi man gaya sa PBA Leo Awards, special awards din ito dahil kahit isang conference lang, nilaro ito sa bubble sa Pampanga, na kung saan malaki ang naging sakripisyo ng ating mga players,” added Marcial.
Marcial said only a few members of the PBA Board will be present in the TV 5 studio as part of the health and safety protocols.
In place of the PBA Mythical Team, the PBA will honor the Outstanding/Elite Five award.
Vying for the Most Improved Player award are Justin Chua and Jason Perkins of Phoenix, Prince Caperal of Barangay Ginebra, Reynel Hugnatan of Meralco, Raul Soyud of NLEX, and Javee Mocon of Rain or Shine.
Also vying for the Outstanding Rookie plum are Aris Dionisio of Magnolia, Roosevelt Adams of Terrafirma and Barkley Ebona of Alaska Milk.
Contesting the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship honor are Kevin Alas of NLEX, Scottie Thompson of Ginebra, Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine, CJ Perez of Terrafirma, and Calvin Abueva of Phoenix.
