Published March 7, 2021, 11:27 PM
Photo from PBA
Justin Chua’s breakthrough performance in the bubble was finally recognized after formally receiving the Top D-Fender plum in the PBA Press Corps Awards Night held Sunday, March 7, 2021.
The Phoenix Super LPG center was named as the best defender of the Philippine Cup bubble by scribes, more than a month after falling short of claiming the Most Improved Player in the PBA Awards Night.
No one was happy with Chua winning the award more than his now-former teammate Calvin Abueva, a fellow member of the All-Defensive Team.
Abueva, who was recently traded to Magnolia, joked that he and Chua should split the award in half, prompting the latter to make a slicing gesture in jest.
Published March 7, 2021, 10:33 PM
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel coach Tim Cone took time to pay tribute to one of his colleagues shortly after receiving the Outstanding Coach of the Bubble during the PBA Press Corps Awards Night held Sunday, March 7, 2021.
Cone hailed Phoenix Super LPG mentor Topex Robinson for the way he handled his team during the two-month PBA Philippine Cup bubble held in Pampanga which saw the Fuel Masters falling one win shy of facing Ginebra in the Finals.
“He did a tremendous job in the bubble coaching and I just want to acknowledge him and share it to him,” Cone said in his acceptance speech that cap off the virtual awards ceremony held at the TV5 studios in Mandaluyong City.