MANILA – Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters center Justin Chua was hailed as the Top Bubble D-Fender by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Press Corps during their virtual Awards Night on Sunday night at the TV5 Media Center.
It was the first major personal career award for the Bacolod City-native Chua after being denied the Most Improved Player citation during the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup Leo Awards.
The 6-foot-6 Gilas Pilipinas call up was given the recognition after averaging 1.6 blocks per game for the Fuel Masters last season on top of his norms of 11.7 points and 6.7 rebounds.
The 31-year-old Chua was also named as part of the All-Bubble D-Fenders unit along with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ Christian Standhardinger, Magnolia Hotshots’ Calvin Abueva and Andy Mark Barroca, and San Miguel Beermen’s Chris Ross.
Aside from the former Ateneo Blue Eagles center, his Phoenix’s teammate Rafael Joey Jazul also got a citation from the PBA media scribes as he was named Mr. Quality Minutes.
Also feted by the PBA Press Corps were Beermen’s Jaymar Perez as scoring champion, Kings head coach Tim Cone as outstanding coach, and PBA commissioner Willie Marcial as Mr. Executive.
Meralco Bolts’ Aaron Black, Kings’ Arvin Tolentino, TerraFirma Dyip’s Roosevelt Adams, Alaska Aces’ Barkley Ebona, and NorthPort Batang Pier’s Renzo Subido were named as part of the All-Rookie Team.
The PBA Press Corps also cited the awardees from the previous season led by San Miguel Beermen head coach Leo Austria as Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year and PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas as Danny Floro Executive of the Year.
Bulakan, Bulacan mayor and one of the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players Vergel Meneses was hailed as Presidential Awardee, while Batang Pier’s Sean Anthony was named as 2019 season’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Last year’s awardees were included in this year’s virtual awards as the 2020 edition of the PBAPC awards night was postponed several times before being cancelled for good due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic./PN
