Chot highlights comeback with sixth Coach of Year award

 PBA Images

Chot Reyes returned to coaching last season and made an immediate mark by steering TNT to the PBA Philippine Cup title, an achievement that glared brighter than anything in the league and made him the choice of the PBA Press Corps (PBAPC) as its Coach of the Year for Season 46.

The flamboyant and colorfully dressed coach will be handed his sixth Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan trophy during its traditional Awards Night set on Tuesday at Novotel Manila Araneta Center.

Reyes, 58, edged Barangay Ginebra counterpart Tim Cone for the coveted award following his successful comeback to coaching in Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league after an absence of almost a decade.

Reyes has won the award the most, but this will be the first for him since 2011.

It likewise marked the third time he won it while calling the shots for the telecommunication franchise, becoming only the second coach to win it three times with the same team after San Miguel Beer’s Leo Austria.

Reyes leads 14 other awardees to be feted by the men and women regularly covering the PBA beat during the two-hour affair hosted by veteran sportscaster Sev Sarmenta and former courtside reporter and now news anchor Rizza Diaz.

Reelected Bulakan, Bulacan Mayor and former Most Valuable Player Vergel Meneses will be the guest of honor in the program that starts at 7 p.m.