INQUIRER Sports

ONLY THE BEST REWARD for the season?s best.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles, the UAAP champion which punctuated a successful 2009 campaign with a Philippine Collegiate Champions League crown, led the country?s top varsity teams Friday in receiving P1.5 million worth of scholarship grants and sports items.

Ateneo defensive specialist Nonoy Baclao also basked in the spotlight as the first recipient of the National Collegiate Player of the Year plum, the highest individual honor given in yesterday?s tribute dubbed as ?A Toast? at Restaurant 9501 in the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City.

?We looked at his (Baclao) consistent performance in his own mother league, not only as a player but also as a student,? said PCCL chair Rey Gamboa.

PCCL runner-up Far Eastern U and semifinalists San Beda and San Sebastian were also recognized along with University of Visayas (Stability and Consistency), Letran (Fortitude) and La Salle (True Heart of a Champion).

UAAP president Anton Montinola, University of Cebu?s Baldomero Estenzo, Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc.?s Felix Tiukinhoy, West Negros U?s Tony Agustin, Region 11 basketball executive Regino Cua and Smart and PLDT received citations.