Metro Manila, Philippines – Chot Reyes emerged as the unanimous choice to win the PBA Coach of the Year award after guiding the TNT franchise to two championships and coming close to a rare grand slam in Season 49.
The 62-year-old tactician will receive the Baby Dalupan trophy on Monday, Oct. 13, when the PBA Press Corps holds its 31st Awards Night in Quezon City.
Reyes came close to joining Dalupan, Tommy Manotoc, Norman Black, and Tim Cone in the exclusive club of capturing a grand slam – or winning all three conference titles in a season – as a head coach in the PBA. But Reyes and TNT lost to San Miguel in the Philippine Cup finals.
The former Gilas Pilipinas mentor first won the award when it was given for the first time by the PBA Press Corps in 1993 then again in 2002, 2003, 2009, 2011, and 2021.
Reyes beat four-time winner Leo Austria, who steered the San Miguel Beermen to a record-extending 30th championship and his first since his returning as head coach in 2024.
Here are the other awardees to be feted:
Defensive Player of the Year – Zavier Lucero (Magnolia)
Comeback Player of the Year – Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser (TNT)
Mr. Quality Minutes – Don Trollano (San Miguel)
Scoring Champion – Arvin Tolentino (Northport)
Order of Merit – Calvin Oftana (TNT)
All-Rookie Team – RJ Abarrientos (Barangay Ginebra), Sedrick Barefield (Blackwater), Caelan Tiongson (Rain or Shine), Jordan Heading (TNT), Justine Baltazar (Converge), Kai Ballungay (Phoenix)
