Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5) – Ginebra guard Scottie Thompson capped off his stellar Season 46 campaign by bagging the highest individual accolade in the PBA.
Thompson beat NorthPort guard Robert Bolick, Magnolia forward Calvin Abueva and TNT standout Mikey Williams to win the PBA Season 46 Most Valuable Player award during the league’s Leo Awards at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
The product of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta tallied 32.22 statistical points from his season averages of 13.9 points, nine rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.24 steals per game to grab the most coveted award by any player in the league.
The playmaker out of Davao Del Sur amassed a total of 2,836 votes from the stats group, players, media and PBA personnel.
Williams, who was adjudged as the Season 46 Rookie of the Year, came in second with 1,332 votes. Bolick placed third with 1,295 votes and Abueva got 1,066 votes.
Thompson clinched his first PBA MVP trophy after a fantastic season that saw him win his maiden Best Player of the Conference plum in the last Governors’ Cup and helped Ginebra to secure their fourth title in the past five stagings of the conference. He also brought home the Finals MVP after finishing with 17.8 points, 8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in the six-game finals series against rival Meralco.
Thompson is also the first Ginebra player to be named MVP in a decade since Mark Caguioa bagged the top individual prize in the 2011-12 season.
Williams, whose stint with TNT in Season 47 remains uncertain due to ongoing contract negotiations, defeated four fellow rookies to emerge as the top freshman in the league last season. He edged NorthPort bruiser Jamie Malonzo, Rain or Shine rookies Santi Santillan and Andrei Caracut, and Magnolia’s Jerrick Ahanmisi.
Thompson, Williams, Abueva, six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, and NorthPort veteran forward Arwind Santos formed the PBA Season 46 Mythical Team.
Bolick, Magnolia big man Ian Sangalang, Ginebra behemoth Christian Standhardinger, San Miguel shooting guard CJ Perez and Phoenix standout Matthew Wright comprise the Mythical Second Team.
San Miguel playmaker Chris Ross earned his seventh straight All-Defensive Team citation as he is joined by Meralco forward Cliff Hodge, TNT veteran Kelly Williams, and Magnolia guard Jio Jalalon. Santos completed the Season 46 All-Defensive Team, his eighth time to be included in the prestigious group in his 16-year career.
Terrafirma point guard Juami Tiongson won the Most Improved Player award after beating Thompson, Bolick, Meralco’s Aaron Black and TNT playmaker Kib Montalbo.
NLEX guard Kevin Alas bested Ginebra sniper Jeff Chan, Magnolia forward Rome Dela Rosa and Fajardo for the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award.
