Bubble top player gets special honors

SMART CLARK GIGA CITY, Pampanga, Philippines — The PBA will bestow a “special” Best Player of the Conference award – not season MVP – to the best individual performer of the Philippine Cup bubble.

This was decided in yesterday’s virtual board meeting by league officials led by PBA chairman Ricky Vargas and commissioner Willie Marcial.

“The governors said let’s make the awards a special one, since this bubble tournament is truly special,” said Marcial.

As opposed to normal times, the pro league is holding only the All-Filipino in this bubble season.

“It’s not a full season so it will be the BPC award as well as Outstanding Rookie, Most Improved, Sportsmanship, and Special Team, which will be the counterpart of the Mythical 5,” said the PBA exec.

The awarding ceremonies for the bubble Special Awards will be held in January, shared Marcial.

Meanwhile, the league chieftain said they are looking at kicking off the next season on April 9, coinciding with the league’s 46th anniversary.

“Target is April 9 which is our anniversary. But it really depends on what the situation will be by that time,” he said.

“We’ll know more by February or March. We don’t know the exact details as of now – if there will be a vaccine already, what kind of bubble we’ll be doing, what the economic conditions are, and the venue,” he added.

The rookie draft is being eyed in March, with aspirants no longer required to comply with the old D-League requirements.

“We still have to discuss the procedure for the draft, including the possible special draft for Gilas,” said Marcial.