Pangilinan Honored as Executive of the Year; Chot Reyes Earns Seventh Coach of the Year Award

The PBA Press Corps held its 31st Awards Night on October 13 at Novotel Manila, recognizing outstanding figures from the recent season. TNT head coach Chot Reyes was honored with his seventh Coach of the Year award, extending his own record. At 62 years old, Reyes received a unanimous vote, edging out San Miguel Beer’s Leo Austria to claim the prestigious Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan Trophy.

Reyes guided the TNT Tropang Giga to three consecutive Finals appearances during Season 49, capturing championships in both the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup. Despite falling short in the Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel, Reyes finished the season with a 48-27 record, marking the best performance of the year. He also shares the distinction of coaching 75 games this season, tying the record set by Tim Cone in 1996.

In tandem with Reyes, TNT owner Manny V. Pangilinan was recognized as Executive of the Year, receiving the Danny Floro Award. The 79-year-old tycoon also served as the event’s special guest and keynote speaker.

Reyes made history as the first recipient of the Coach of the Year award named after the legendary Baby Dalupan, having earned it previously in 1993, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2011, and 2021. Relatives of the late Dalupan were present to personally present this year’s award.

Additional honors included Magnolia’s Zavier Lucero for Defensive Player of the Year, TNT’s Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser as Comeback Player of the Year, San Miguel’s Don Trollano receiving Mr. Quality Minutes, and Northport’s Arvin Tolentino as Scoring Champion.

Rounding out the accolades were TNT’s Calvin Oftana awarded the Order of Merit, and selections to the All-Rookie Team comprising RJ Abarrientos (Barangay Ginebra), Sedrick Barefield (Blackwater), Caelan Tiongson (Rain or Shine), Jordan Heading (TNT), Justine Baltazar (Converge), and Kai Ballungay (Phoenix). The Game 7 of the TNT-Barangay Ginebra Commissioner’s Cup Finals was also recognized as the Game of the Season.