Castro, Romeo, Newsome head honorees

MANILA, Philippines – Jayson Castro and Terrence Romeo, along with season Rookie of the Year Chris Newsome, share the spotlight when the 2016 PBA Press Corps Annual Awards Night is held Saturday at the Gloria Maris restaurant inside the Gateway Mall.

Castro will be honored with the Accel Order of Merit Award, while Romeo repeats as the league’s Scoring Champion during the 7 p.m. affair presented by Cignal. 

The Order of Merit is given out to the one who earned the most number of Player of the Week citation conferred by the men and women who covers the PBA beat.

The TNT Katropa stalwart was named Player of the Week six times following his scintillating showing in the season-ending Governors Cup, where he was eventually adjudged the Best Player of the Conference.

Meanwhile, Romeo averaged 24.89 points in 37 games this season to emerge as the league’s top scorer anew that saw him shot 35.9 percent from three-point range and 42.9 percent from the field overall. The Globalport guard submitted 19.6 points when he won the scoring title last season.

Newsome, on the other hand, leads the five players in the Accel All-Rookie team.

Together with the Meralco player in the squad are TNT Katropa’s Troy Rosario, Art Dela Cruz of Blackwater, Maverick Ahanmisi of Rain or Shine, and Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson.

Highlight of the event, backed by Chancellor as official outfitter, is the  the Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year award, named in honor of the late great champion mentor.