By Olmin Leyba
THE handyman widely regarded as the “new face of Barangay Ginebra” is also the best dog in the entire league.
Gin Kings star Scottie Thompson made his new status official by lifting the coveted Season 46 Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy to thunderous applause from fans and peers at the Philippine Basketball Association‘s Leo Awards ( PBA) Sunday.
Mr Thompson, the first guard since Ginebra great Mark Caguiao won the plum in season 37, said the achievement should serve as an example of how a role player like him can succeed through the perseverance.
The best individual plum put the icing on the cake for Mr. Thompson’s memorable 2021-22 season which saw him win the Conference and Finals MVP MVP plums as well as the Governors Cup championship .
Perpetual Help’s former NCAA MVP racked up 2,836 points from player, media and PBA stats and votes to beat TnT’s Mikey Williams (1,332), NorthPort’s Robert Bolick (1,295) and Calvin Abueva of Magnolia (10.66) for the Leo Trophy.
He was joined in the Mythical First Team by MM. Williams, Abueva, six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer (SMB) and Arwind Santos of NorthPort.
Mr. Bolick led the legendary second team with CJ Perez of SMB, Christian Standhardinger of Ginebra, Matthew Wright of Phoenix and Ian Sangalang of Magnolia.
Mr Williams, meanwhile, was honored as Rookie of the Year while Terrafirma’s Juami Tiongson received the Most Improved Player honour.
Meralco’s Cliff Hodge, Santos, TnT’s Kelly Williams, Magnolia’s Jio Jalalon and SMB’s Chris Ross made up the All-Defensive Team while NLEX’s Kevin Alas received the Sportsmanship Award during ceremonies at a hour before the opening of season 47.
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