It was the year of the San Miguel Corp. triple crown in the PBA.
San Miguel Beer retained the Philippine Cup title, Barangay Ginebra captured the Commissioner’s Cup championship, and Magnolia won the Governors’ Cup crown.
And it was a feat credited largely to SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua.
The PBA Press Corps recognized Chua’s effort in the rare feat—this marked the first time in the PBA that all three SMC teams won titles in one season—and will hand him the Danny Floro Executive Award on Jan. 21, during the group’s 25th anniversary of its Annual Awards Night presented by Cignal TV at Novotel Manila Araneta Center.
Chua joins his boss, Ramon S. Ang, in the ranks of those who have won the prestigious award, a list that includes Manny V. Pangilinan, Wilfred S. Uytengsu, Danding Cojuangco, Raymund Yu and Terry Que, Ricky Vargas, Renauld “Sonny” Barrios, Rene Pardo, Buddy Encarnado, Elmer Yanga, Simon Mossesgeld, George Chua, and the late Jun Bernardino and Henry Cojuangco.
Only the prestigious Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan Coach of the Year is yet to be announced, with Leo Austria, Tim Cone and Chito Victolero battling for the trophy bearing the name of the late “Maestro” of Philippine coaching.
The PBAPC is naming its first Lifetime Achievement awardee in Alaska team owner Wilfred S. Uytengsu.
The group has also named awardees for Mr. Quality Minutes (Vic Manuel), Defensive Player of the Year (John Paul Erram), Game of the Season (Barangay Ginebra-Rain or Shine 3OT), Breakout Player of the Season (Chris Tiu), Scoring champion (Stanley Pringle) and Order of Merit (June Mar Fajardo, Paul Lee and Manuel).