INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?Talk ?N Text coach Chot Reyes takes center stage as he is bestowed the Coach of the Year award in the 2009 PBA Press Corps Annual Awards set tonight at 7:30 at The Alegria of Waterfront Manila Pavilion.

Reyes, who steered the Tropang Texters to the Philippine Cup championship in his second season with the team, will be the recipient of the prestigious Virgilio ?Baby? Dalupan for the third time in seven years and fourth overall since 1993.

His latest Coach of the Year award had Reyes distancing himself from Ginebra?s Jong Uichico, Alaska?s Tim Cone and Purefoods? Ryan Reyes, who have each won the Dalupan Trophy twice.

San Miguel Corp. chair Eduardo ?Danding? Cojuangco Jr. is the Executive of the Year winner in the awards rites sponsored by Smart Sports, San Miguel Corp., Coca-Cola and Pagcor Sports. The event is also backed by Burger King, Sta. Lucia Realty, Alaska, Rain or Shine, Barako Bull and Harbour Centre.

Cojuangco is the runaway winner of the award, getting the PBAPC?s votes for the exploits of his teams and his admirable and sportsmanlike position leading to the inclusion of Fil-Am player Gabe Norwood in the pro draft.

Norwood was drafted by Rain or Shine as the top pick and subsequently became Rookie of the Year.

The versatile Fil-Am player also takes the spotlight in the PBAPC Awards, leading the All-Rookie Team that also includes Jared Dillinger, Sol Mercado, Bonbon Custodio and Larry Rodriguez.

Others to be feted are Wynne Arboleda, Jason Castro, Mike Cortez, Arwind Santos, Jimmy Alapag and Throngy Aldaba.

Santos, winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2008, ended up tied with Alapag as Order of Merit winners in PBAPC?s Player of the Week program. They won the Player of the Week honors thrice each and, thus, share the trophy presented by Accel.

Arboleda is Best Defensive Player for the second time in the last three years, Castro is Mr. Quality Minutes, Cortez is Comeback Player of the Year and Aldaba Referee of the Year.

Dalupan has confirmed his attendance to personally award the Dalupan Trophy to the Coach of the Year. The other awardees will receive elegantly crafted trophies from Angel Zamora and Sons.

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, board chair Lito Alvarez and other past and present PBA officials are expected to grace the affair to be hosted by Ed Picson and Patricia Bermudez-Hizon.