KKS 38th Leo Awards' Picks

Sa iyo ang Asya, pero akin ang Pinas
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

What a year it has been for Philippine basketball! We've seen a top heavy 2012 PBA Draft that features some of the league's fastest rising stars, was treated to an "old school vs new school" Philippine Cup Finals between Rain or Shine and erstwhile champs Talk 'n' Text, witnessed the "choke-gate," saw the rise of a "new" Alaska, celebrated (and cried) with Gilas, among other great feats.

Now we take this opportunity to give credit where it is due and name the PBA stars who have competed and entertained millions of Filipinos all across the globe with their passion, excellence and overall on court brilliance.

All Defensive Team
PG L.A. Tenorio, SG Chris Ross , SF Calvin Abueva, PF Arwind Santos, C Junemar Fajardo
Sounds just about right from positions one to five, you have the steals, blocks and rebounds leaders all in one lot and save for maybe the still improving Ross, the five would be pillars of the PBA for the next two to four years.

2nd Mythical Team 
PG Sol Mercado, SG Cyrus Baguio, SF Nino Canaleta, PF Marc Pingris, C Sonny Thoss
Mercado had a great season despite suffering an injury and being head-scratchingly traded to another team mid-season, Baguio's been quietly efficient as Alaska's true and most consistent player, Canaleta's broken through the proverbial "glass ceiling" and turned from halftime highlight to sharpshooter, Pingris is a walking, breathing, rebounding Pinoy hoops legend by now and Thoss still is, The Boss.

Mythical Team
PG L.A. Tenorio, SG Jayson Castro, SF Calvin Abueva, PF Arwind Santos, C Junemar Fajardo
"Sa iyo ang Asya, akin ang Pilipinas." That's what we've been harping about the last couple of weeks post-Gilas. Tenorio's taken over Ginebra from reigning PBA MVP Mark Caguioa (no easy accomplishment) while Castro continues to dominate in spurts beside equally gifted and already established PBA stars (Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo). Abueva and Fajardo have put on quite a show the whole year while Santos' stats will always make him a favourite for any individual accolade.

Sportsmanship Award: Junemar Fajardo (Petron Blaze)
Lost a testicle on top of getting constantly hit and hammered by his big brothers in the league and he still just keeps it all in stride and continues to learn the game.

Most Improved Player: Nino Canaleta (Air21)
We'd bat for guys like Chris Ross and Jervy Cruz who have gained a lot of confidence this season en route to establishing themselves for their teams, but Canaleta went from just another contributor and slam dunking sideshow to a guy deemed as "untradeable" by a team that loves to trade.

Defensive Player of the Year: Calvin Abueva (Alaska)
6"1, leads the league in rebounding while playing only half of games. Yes he flops, but only to sell contacts and calls. Honestly, do you really believe that a Pampanga born and bred basketball player falls so easily on the floor?

Rookie of the Year + 6th Man of the Year: Calvin Abueva (Alaska)
See above. No brainer. Fajardo's been good this 3rd conference, but it took him a while (plus he was sidelined by an injury). Also, Fajardo's pretty much the de facto focal point of the Petron Blaze offense when he is on the floor. Abueva on the other hand, pretty much has to work for his points off rebounds because his guards not named Dondon Hontiveros, see to it that his touches are limited and far apart.

Most Valuable Player: Lewis Alfred Tenorio, Barangay Ginebra
When news first broke out that Tenorio wanted out of Alaska, we were dumb-founded. Not because Ginebra didn't need him (they do) but because here's arguably the face of Alaska sans Tim Cone, fresh off a dominant William Jones Cup display with the national team, all too willingly being let go of. Well, it didn't take long for Tenorio to find a home in Ginebra and win the hearts of thousands being its new leader. The whole season, Ginebra only went as far as Tenorio would take them-- being the coach on the floor and just creating scoring opportunities for his teammates (even Caguioa). Without Tenorio, Ginebra would just be another team with a megastar (Caguioa) some inconsistent/ lethargic veterans and some upstarts. With him, there's discipline and purpose on offense and their lot of finishers are empowered on the break. The same cannot be said for his rivals for the award this season-- Castro isn't the clear cut leader of his own team, Santos shares the spotlight with one too many guys while playing a support role (greatly, but still not the lead) and Abueva is another game-changing supporting actor ala his fellow Cabalen Santos.

Who is your bet for this season's PBA MVP? Rookie of the Year?