Miller Time a second time

Somehow, there’s this feeling of emptiness in Willie Milller who bagged his second Most Valuable Player crown last night during the 32nd PBA Leo Awards at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Alaska ace, who won his first MVP plum in 2002, said he couldn’t understand why both his victories came at a time when most of the PBA stars are out playing for the national team.

“Maybe I’m just lucky to win a second MVP award,” said Miller, a flashy lefty who can either shoot from the outside, pass or penetrate. He came in as a rookie in 2001.

“But what I can’t understand is that both my MVP awards came when the other superstars are not playing. This was the same case when I first won it in 2002,” said Miller, who turned 30 yesterday.

Then, the country’s finest were gearing up for the Busan Asian Games. This time, the country’s finest are gearing up for the FIBA Asia Men’s Championship, a qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“That’s why I feel that there’s something lacking,”  said Miller, now focused in helping Alaska in its PBA Fiesta Cup final showdown with Talk n Text.

On this glittery night named after former PBA commissioner Leo Prieto, Miller bested Mark Cardona of Talk N Text and Gary David of Air21. Miller won in the statistics race, and votes from the players, PBA and media.

The First Mythical Team is composed of Miller, David, Kelly Williams, Jay Washington and Dorian Pena. The second team is made up up Wynne Arboleda, Cardona, Arwind Santos, Danny Ildefonso and Yancy de Ocampo.

The top rookie plum went to Williams, and the most improved player award to David, who also ran away with the sportsmanship award. The Red Bull energy player awardee is Ronald Tubid.

The all-defensive team is composed of Nelbert Omolon, Santos, Harvey Carey, Arboleda and, again, David.